Abel Tesfaye reflects on retiring his character The Weeknd

After nearly 16 years as The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye says he is considering retiring his famous musical moniker following an upcoming project.

As part of a new cover story, Tesfaye details his musical journey in recent years. typecoinciding with the release of his new album, Hurry up tomorrowJanuary 24th. Resulting in the remainder of the show having to be cancelled.

But as he explained, a visit to the doctor revealed nothing unusual. “That’s when we realized it was all here,” he told the publication, pointing to his head.

It’s a combination of factors—from countless projects on his already packed schedule to mental exhaustion—that have weighed heavily on Tesfaye ever since as he strides toward release Hurry up tomorrow. Promoted through billboards announcing the impending end and social posts indicating the final “chapter” of his story, type Ask Tesfaye what his repeated references to “ending the chapter” relate to. “I like to say that my existence is weekends,” he explains.

“It’s a headspace that I have to be in, but I don’t crave it anymore,” he continued. “You have your own personality, but you also have competition. It becomes a rat race: more accolades, more successes, more gigs, more albums, more awards and more No. 1 for more. It never ends until you end it.

“Part of me was actually thinking, ‘You’ve lost your voice because it’s all over;'” You said what you had to say. Don’t overstay your welcome at the party – you can end it now and live a happy life,” he added, looking back on his canceled 2022 show. “Put a bow on it: ‘Hurry up tomorrow’? Now here we are. If not in your prime, when is the right time to leave? Once you know too well who I am, then it’s time to transition .

As Tesfaye said, while the end of this chapter may bring an end to The Weeknd as fans know him, it won’t be the end of the music he’s created.

“I don’t think I able Don’t do it again,” he said. “But everything needs to feel like a challenge. Now for me, weekends, whatever that is, it’s been mastered. No one can do weekends better than me, and I’m not going to do it any better. Better. I think I’ve overcome every challenge in this role, which is why I’m so excited about this movie because I love the challenge.

“But I just want to know what happens next,” he added. “I wonder what it’s going to be like tomorrow.”

Tesfaye plans to release his sixth studio album, The Weeknd, Hurry up tomorrowJanuary 24th. Director Trey Edward Schutz (wave, it comes at night), the film will mark Tesfaye’s first starring role and is an extension of her upcoming album.