When people hear the name “ The Weeknd,” they instantly recognize the infamous Canadian R&B sensation. However, he recently announced that he is ready to leave his name in the past and step into something new. He released his sixth and final album, titled Hurry Up Tomorrow in January. It’s the third and final album in his trilogy that fans have been fascinated over since 2020.
In his latest “Nightmare Trilogy” – which includes the albums After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow – dives deep into the themes of fame and addiction. Each album showcases his artistic identity, reflecting his fascination with horror and the power of fame. Through music and cinematic visuals, he creates an immersive experience for his audience.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is more than just an album. After over a decade, he feels the Weeknd persona has reached its limits and that he’s ready to leave it behind and try different styles of music. He believes that taking on a new stage name will allow him to do so.
One of the most popular songs in this album is “Timeless,” featuring Playboi Carti and produced by Pharrell. Released months before the album came out, on September 27, 2024, the song quickly gained popularity after its release and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October. Another fan favorite is the powerful and melancholic “The Abyss,” featuring Lana Del Rey, which conveys themes of love, despair, and the face of oblivion. Previously, Lana Del Rey and the Weeknd have collaborated on multiple songs together, including “Stargirl Interlude” and “Prisoner.”
“Cry for Me,” a single in the album, stands out with its smooth, dreamy production and emotional lyrics that tug at your heart. “São Paulo,” a song featuring Brazilian artist, Anitta, was performed in a one-night-only concert on September 7, 2024, as part of the album’s promotion.
“When I finished listening to the album, I was just shocked at how amazing it was. It felt like everything he’s done came together in one emotional, final chapter, taking you on this intense and sentimental journey,” sophomore Tigran Akopyan said.
Behind the success of his albums, there is another side to this story. During a live performance at the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, he suddenly lost his voice mid-performance. Fans stood frozen in disbelief as the concert was cut short without warning. The Weeknd emotionally tried to explain the situation, and the concert was abruptly canceled after only a few songs. Fans were promised refunds and a make-up concert. This incident led to the creation of another song in his new album.
After the Sofi incident, he made the decision to close the chapter on his identity as the Weeknd, announcing that the Weeknd is dead, and that he may continue his musical career under his birth name, Abel Tesfaye, or as a different stage name. Hurry Up Tomorrow shows that he has ascended from his previous name, leaving all of his sorrows and pain with that name behind, including the Sofi incident, and finally transcending into a new and better version of himself.
