# Tuesday’s Talent – The Weeknd

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/tuesdays-talent-the-weeknd/
- Published: 2011-07-19T01:04:47-04:00
- Author: EAN

Wicked Games

 [audio:05 Wicked Games.mp3]

 

Where have I been??? Seems like people been buzzin bout this Kid called _[The Weeknd](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo)_
for a few months now. Wasnt till my homeboy Dean came down I was introduced to this
Northern Neighbor Sensation so I could’nt find to much on him but was able to find
an awesome [_mixtape_](http://the-weeknd.com/#) thats been in rotation. But anyway
take a look below at what  [_Insanul Ahmed_](http://twitter.com/incilin) had to
see about The Weeknd

For the past few weeks, everyone has been buzzing about **The Weeknd** and his mixtape
_House of Balloons (_[download here](http://the-weeknd.com/)_)_. If you’ve never
heard of Weeknd—or have grown tired of reading endless tweets and Facebook statuses
about how amazing _House of Balloons_ is, but haven’t actually heard it, you need
not worry.

The Weeknd is essentially a one-man band comprised of Toronto-based, Canadian singer/
songwriter Abel Tesfaye. On “Loft Music” he sings about being 20 years old, so we’re
gonna go ahead assume he’s 20. A few critics have dubbed his particular brand of
R&B as “hipster R&B” or “[PBR&B](http://twitter.com/marathonpacks/status/50357404524752896)”(
we can’t deny that one made us chuckle), but there has been debate over whether 
it’s a [legitimate term](http://www.theawl.com/2011/03/you-say-hipster-rb-i-say-nappy-headed-pop-either-way-its-offensive).

There’s also been some confusion over whether The Weeknd is a group, with a few
media outlets claiming producers [Doc McKinney ](http://twitter.com/docmckinney)
and [Illangelo ](http://twitter.com/ILLANGELO)are a part of The Weeknd. Although
Tesfaye (who we can only presume runs [Weeknd’s Twitter](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo))
confirmed [Doc McKinney produced a track](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo/status/45678141196341248)
for him and [shouted out Illangelo](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo/status/50679931377696768),
he has denied that [The Weeknd is a group](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo/status/45626199229210624)
on [more than one occasion](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo/status/52661445271371776).
^(1) However, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a crew…

An early candidate for album of the year, _House of Balloons_ is a nine-track mixtape
that was released on [Weeknd’s website](http://the-weeknd.com/) for free on March
20. Weeknd debuted “What You Need” and “Wicked Games” on his [Youtube page](http://www.youtube.com/user/xoxxxoooxo)
weeks prior. The record has gotten rave reviews for its dark, atmospheric sounds
and its unique mix of R&B, hip-hop, and indie rock elements. Most of the songs are
comparable to Drake’s _Thank Me Later_ duet with with The-Dream, “[Shut It Down](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDUMJh_VCrw).
” The songs play with traditional R&B structure with most of them clocking in 
at over five minutes. In case you’ve already heard the mixtape but can’t get enough
of it, peep this [remix of “What You Need”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsRUxe4cuzM)
by Odd Future’s Mike G.

He sings about drugs alot And we’re not talking your standard “I like to drink and
smoke so let’s party” kinda records. We mean some of that [ol’ Mr. Rager](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48r7cA8Dk8E),
Weezy F. Baby before prison-type shit. Weeknd sings about weed, liquor, pills, cocaine,
and codeine. For proof, peep “House of Balloons – Glass Table Girls” (the second
half of the title track) where he sings explicitly about sniffing superstar lines
of that white girl. Geez, is this dude really 20? Either way, we really hope he 
doesn’t let drugs get the best of him like so many artists before him. Problem
is, the tagline on his [Tumblr page](http://the-weekndxo.tumblr.com/) reads, “XO
till we overdose.” Um…….

As you may have noticed, there isn’t that much known about The Weeknd. And thatâ
€™s no accident. His MO has been to be on every social networking site, but not 
to reveal basic facts about himself (like his age). In fact, most of the pics on
his Tumblr are just those artsy photos of women’s asses^(1) and distant photos
of him that don’t even show his face (you know, like every photo on Tumblr). His
[official Facebook fanpage](http://www.facebook.com/theweeknd#%21/theweeknd?sk=wall)
had lots of pics of him, but they were later removed.

As previously mentioned, Drake and 40 definitely have a lot to do with the sonic
blueprint of The Weeknd, but he’s got other influences. Weeknd has tweeted about
being [inspired by R. Kelly](http://twitter.com/theweekndxo/status/52844521142226944)
and there are definitely traces of The-Dream and even the late Static Major in his
music.

But the samples on the mixtape reveal more than anything else. Indie rock band Beach
House’s “[Master of None](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2YiUTh9dj4)” is 
sampled on “The Party + The Afterparty” and another song of theirs, “Gila,
” is sampled on “Loft Music.” They’re not the only indie influence, Siouxsie
and the Branshiee’s “[Happy House](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeBMHnJqAvM)
” is sampled on _House of Ballons’_ title track. Aaliyah’s “[Rock The Boat](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5AAcgtMjUI)
” can be heard on “What You Need” and Cocteau Twins’ “[Cherry Colored Funk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WybSSagVvoU)
” makes up “The Knowing.”

Unless he’s secretly signed to a label that we don’t know about (like the way
[Wiz Khalifa was last year](http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/05/hip_hops_new_business_model_ma.html)),
we’re pretty sure Weeknd is currently unsigned. [Miss Info ](http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/the-next-big-thing-drake-diplo-and-missinfo-tv-are-watching-the-weeknd/)
mentioned that she played Weeknd’s music for Diplo, Joie Manda, and people at 
Universal and they were all impressed. It’ll be interesting to see who picks up
this fresh, young talent because there’s no way someone with this much buzz will
stay unsigned for long…

[Written by Insanul Ahmed](http://http://www.complex.com/music/2011/04/who-is-weeknd/)_(
[@Incilin](http://www.twitter.com/incilin))_