The Weeknd will drop a final salute

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, popularly known as The Weeknd, is preparing to drop his final salute. Now, he has unveiled plans to bring an end to his current musical persona – The Weeknd – and instead embark on a bold new creative journey.

Meanwhile, in a discussion with W Magazine, ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of the contentious HBO series The Idol – starring Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp – the duo shared candid insights about their on- and off-screen identities.

Experiencing a sort of mental disintegration

It’s about switching between his character in The Idol, Tedros, and his The Weeknd outfit. Has been a part of his identity for over a decade since the commencement of his musical career. Tesfaye admitted to experiencing a sort of “mental disintegration“.

“Switching from The Weeknd attire to Tedros’s wig, shooting with Jocelyn, and then returning to The Weeknd was quite challenging,” he confessed to W Magazine. “Transitioning from one role to another was demanding.“

The final page of the Weeknd saga

Tesfaye elaborated on his “cathartic journey” after the series ended and his present readiness to “turn the final page of the Weeknd saga“.

“I’ll continue creating music, perhaps as Abel, or perhaps as The Weeknd,” he added. “However, I’m determined to put an end to The Weeknd. I’m striving to shed that identity and undergo a rebirth.”

Tesfaye disclosed in the interview that his forthcoming album, currently in progress with no established release date, might mark the culmination of his 12-year journey as The Weeknd.

He shared a glimpse into his upcoming album. He highlights its heavy reliance on “visual elements” and the integration of cinematic components.

“The album I’m presently working on could be my final salute as The Weeknd,” he declared. “This is a necessary step for me. I feel I’ve expressed all I could as The Weeknd.“

Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP / Source: Mixmag