The Weeknd Can’t Ignore Blacks Being Killed By Police Shootings, Baffled At People Misunderstanding Black Lives Matter Movement

The Weeknd

In a new interview, Abel Tesfaye, known by fans as The Weeknd, dishes on the effect and importance of some of his lyric, his next album, being recognized by A-listers like Beyonce and where he stands in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Check out a few excerpts.

On the importance of the lyrics to the song The Hills, where he sings – When I’m f*cked up, that’s the real me: 

That line was specific for the situation that song was talking about. It ended up being the lyric everybody started relating to, and then it wasn’t until the song blew up that I realized how much of a reality it was in most people’s lives.

On his next album: 

I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done. It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced.

On being recognized by fans: 

Being anonymous had its perks…but it feels great to be recognized for all of the work we’ve put out.

Beyonce

On working with Beyonce: 

It feels great seeing the character of a powerful woman be sexy, yet take matters into her own hands and not feel so helpless.

On his political views and Black Lives Matter.

I promised myself that I would never tweet or talk about politics and focus on the music, but I was just so bewildered that we lost more of our people to these senseless police shootings…It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that there are people who can’t or won’t see what
Black Lives Matter is trying to accomplish. I wish I could make music about politics. I feel like it’s such an art and a talent that I admire tremendously, but when I step into the studio I step out of the real world, and it’s therapeutic. It’s an escape, but recently it’s been very hard to ignore, and it’s also been very distracting. Maybe you’ll hear it in my voice, but it is not my forté.

On moving forward and what’s next for his music:

I’ve been very intrigued by the film Amadeus. I’ll touch on my relationship with religion a little bit and how it ties into my crazy and materialistic life. I’ll touch base on some recent experiences and past experiences that didn’t make the last album.

By –authorsequaia