The Weeknd is hinting at a farewell — not entirely from his music, but from the persona that made him a global phenomenon.
The artist, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, told Variety that his upcoming sixth studio album Hurry Up Tomorrow may mark the end of his journey to stardom.
“It’s a headspace that I have to be in, but I don’t crave it anymore,” he said. “I think it brings a lot to the table. You have your own personality, but you also have competition. It becomes a rat race: more accolades, more success, more gigs, more albums, more awards, it never ends until you end it.
The news of the chart-topping “Blinding Lights” immediately aroused heated discussions among fans and music industry insiders. The comments in the Weekend show a deep reflection on his identity and the relentless pressure of fame over nearly a decade.
Part of The Weeknd’s reflection stems from a deeply personal moment during his 2022 After Hours Til Dawn tour at SoFi Arena in Los Angeles. At the start of the show, his voice completely failed, forcing him to suspend the concert and issue a refund and promise to reschedule.
After that night, The Weeknd recalls a profound moment of self-awareness.
“Part of me was thinking, ‘You’ve lost your voice because it’s all over;'” You said what you had to say. Don’t stay at the party for too long – you can end it now and live a happy life,” he added. “When is the right time to leave, if not in your prime?”
While The Weeknd’s comments signal a personal evolution, “Hurry Up Tomorrow” serves as a grand finale for the enigmatic figure who dominated the charts and created era-defining music. But The Weeknd’s possible retirement of his alter ego hints at a major shift happening, both personally and artistically.
