By Jem Aswad. Senior Music Editor. Dozens of people move around the small space, and there are hugs, handshakes and close contact all around, including when Weeknd real name: Abel Tesfaye and Craig meet for the first time and exchange several minutes of friendly chat. Albums by Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Sam Smith, Willie Nelson and many others have been pushed several months, due to practical matters of marketing and touring as well as the bigger concern of appearing tone-deaf or insensitive to the fast unfolding tragedy. I knew how important it was to my fans. Creatively, the album is just as much of a success. Head here for a long interview with The Weeknd about the album, its concept, videos, creation and more. He starts off partying and gambling, then gets beaten up in a fight, and as the loose, still-evolving plot unfolds across multiple clips, things get really weird, as he possibly becomes possessed by an evil spirit and commits a murder. The two mutual fans were introduced in a text last year, and Weeknd invited Carrey to hear some of his new music.


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Abel Makkonen Tesfaye born February 16, , known professionally as The Weeknd , is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In , The Weeknd signed with Republic Records , and re-released the mixtapes as part of the compilation album Trilogy His debut studio album, Kiss Land , was released in He followed the album with Beauty Behind the Madness , which was among the best-selling albums of His fourth album, After Hours , featured the number-one singles " Heartless " and " Blinding Lights ". One of the most successful Canadian recording artists, The Weeknd was awarded the Allan Slaight Award by Canada's Walk of Fame for "making a positive impact in the fields of music, film, literature, visual or performing arts, sports, innovation or philanthropy". Tesfaye was raised by his grandmother and mother after his parents split up. I don't even know where he lived — I'd see him for, like, a night. I'm sure he's a great guy. I never judged him.
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The Weeknd has announced that he's working on his fourth studio album. After releasing 'Starboy' back in , the 'I Feel It Coming' hitmaker is returning to the game with a brand new project, named 'After Hours'. On the week of the album's release, Abel revealed the tracklist for 'After Hours', which consists of fourteen songs including 'Heartless', 'Blinding Lights' and 'Scared to Live'. The Weeknd released the title track of the album, 'After Hours' 19 Feb shortly after revealing the record's name. At the end of November , The Weeknd released the first two singles from his new album, 'Heartless' and 'Blinding Lights'. His last release, 'My Dear Melancholy', was an extended play and was made up of six songs. If we assume 'Chapter 6' will be a full length album, we're looking at anything between 10 and 20 tracks, if his previous projects are anything to go by. The Weeknd has unveiled the official cover artwork for his new album 'After Hours' after posting it on his socials 18 Feb. In November , Abel reposted the artwork of a cartoonist who specialises in Weeknd-themed designs on Instagram.
Last December, the Weeknd returned with a vengeance. After laying low for a couple of years following the release of My Dear Melancholy, Abel Tesfaye was suddenly everywhere at once. He debuted a new look—ostentatious sunglasses, crimson suit, equally bloody nose—and performed new singles on late-night TV. A new record was clearly on the way, but details remained scarce until February, when the singer finally detailed his next full-length, After Hours. Uncut Gems may be one of the keys to understanding After Hours. Tesfaye as himself is a prospective client who comes to blows with Howard over a bathroom rendezvous with his mistress. Blinded by his uncontrollable desire for high stakes, Howard struggles with himself throughout the movie. In a way, the Weeknd portrays a similar character on After Hours. The album tracks the deterioration of a relationship from beginning to end, with Tesfaye vacillating between flashy arrogance and pathetic, drug-addled self-pitying.