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After nearly 16 years under the alias of The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye is contemplating the retirement of his iconic stage name following the launch of his upcoming projects.
In a recent interview with Variety, coinciding with the release of his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, on January 24, Tesfaye reflected on his musical journey. He recounted a challenging performance in September 2022 at SoFi Stadium in California, where he had to cut short his set due to vocal issues.
Tesfaye noted that a visit to his doctor revealed no physical problems, leading him to conclude that his vocal struggles were linked to mental stress. “And that’s when we came to the realization that it was all up here,” he explained, gesturing to his head.
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Tesfaye’s decision to consider stepping back from his musical persona has been influenced by the pressures of his busy schedule and a sense of mental fatigue. As he prepares for the launch of Hurry Up Tomorrow, he has promoted the project with messages suggesting a closure to his narrative. In response to questions about these remarks, he expressed, “I would say my existence as the Weeknd,” emphasizing the significance of this phase in his career.
He elaborated on the struggle of maintaining a public persona while facing the relentless competition in the music industry. “It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more No. 1s. It never ends until you end it,” he reflected.
Tesfaye revealed that, in the aftermath of his vocal incident, he had contemplated whether it was time to conclude his journey. “Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say.’ Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life,” he stated, pondering the right moment to step back from the spotlight. He added, “Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”
Despite the potential end of The Weeknd as a brand, Tesfaye assured fans that he would not be leaving music altogether. “I don’t think I can stop doing that,” he affirmed. He aims to keep his artistic endeavors challenging and stimulating, stressing that he has reached a high point with The Weeknd’s identity. “I think I’ve overcome every challenge as this persona, and that’s why I’m really excited about this film, because I love this challenge,” he added.
Looking to the future, Tesfaye expressed interest in exploring what lies ahead for him creatively. “I just want to know what comes after,” he remarked. “I want to know what tomorrow looks like.”
As he gets ready to unveil his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, on January 24, Tesfaye will also debut in a feature film of the same name, set for release on May 16 by Lionsgate. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film serves as a complementary piece to the forthcoming album and marks a new chapter in his artistic journey.
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