The Weeknd Considering Retiring Persona: “I simply wish to know what comes after”

The Weeknd is able to retire his stage title and transfer into the following period.

The 34-year-old hitmaker says that his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, will most likely be his ultimate one underneath the persona that made him well-known.

The artist, whose actual title is Abel Tesfaye, mentioned his intentions to retire his stage title after the completion of his present album trilogy, which began with 2020’s After Hours, continued with 2022’s Daybreak FM, and can conclude on January 24 with Hurry Up Tomorrow, in a brand new Selection cowl story that was launched Friday, January 10.

Tesfaye clarified that the chapter in query is “my existence because the Weeknd” after implying within the interview that the final trilogy installment would signify a extra complete chapter shut.

“It’s a headspace I’ve gotta get into that I simply don’t have any extra need for,” he mentioned of his moniker. “You’ve gotten a persona, however then you may have the competitors of all of it. It turns into this rat race: extra accolades, extra success, extra reveals, extra albums, extra awards and extra No. 1s. It by no means ends till you finish it.”

Abel added that his headline-making 2022 live performance at SoFi Stadium — throughout which he needed to cease and cancel halfway via the present after dropping his voice on stage — partially impressed his choice. “A part of me really was considering, ‘You misplaced your voice as a result of it’s executed,’” he informed the publication. “You mentioned what you needed to say. Don’t overstay on the social gathering — you’ll be able to finish it now and stay a cheerful life … I simply wish to know what comes after.”

The publication additionally reviews: “‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ album contains loads of the smooth, chrome-plated hooks which have characterised a lot of The Weeknd’s greatest hits. However to a level he hasn’t actually executed earlier than, it additionally contains explorations of different genres: traditional R&B, straight pop, acoustic guitars, quick beats and an epic, sweeping tune, most likely the finale, that recollects Prince’s Purple Rain.”