Abel’s music film sounds highly intriguing!
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair Magazine, The Weeknd opened up on adjusting to becoming an international celebrity. With his no. 1 selling Beauty Behind the Madness album topping charts over the summer, the 25-year-old Toronto singer also discussed maintaining privacy with Bella Hadid, other artists he’d like the work with, putting his twist on original Motown sounds and future projects. He also went to tease that he’s working on a Purple Rain-like music film, which he expects to take up to two years to complete. Take a look at excerpts from the V.F. conversation below.
Your music has old-school references like Motown and Michael Jackson, but with a yearning, sadness, and darker edge. Is this organic or a conscious move?
I do it subconsciously, mostly because I grew up with this music in my household. [Michael Jackson’s] “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough,” from Off the Wall, is actually the song that helped me find my voice. It’s the reason I sing. The sadness I inherit is from the Ethiopian music my mother would play. A lot of sad songs about heartbreak. Even though I couldn’t really make out what they were saying, I could feel it.When you first had three mix-tape hits online no one knew what you looked like—why?
I always hated how I looked on camera. I never put a face to my music, which actually made the music that much more mysterious. It kind of worked in my favor, and I ran with it as long as I could. None of my fans knew how I looked until I played live shows.You’ve collaborated with Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, and others, you’ve worked with producers such as Kanye West and Max Martin, and you’ve brought a new, exciting sound to R&B. What haven’t you done musically that you’d like to do?
I want to produce the music to a movie that I’m working on, like what Prince did with Purple Rain. It’s a very personal project. It could take up to two years, though. And I really admire Ed Sheeran’s work—I had the most fun collaborating with him, so, hopefully, more to come.
The Weeknd – Tell Your Friends (Extended Version)