“I’ve been very intrigued by the film Amadeus,” he says. “I’ll touch on my relationship with religion a little bit and how it ties into my crazy and materialistic life. I’ll touch base on some recent experiences and past experiences that didn’t make the last album.
Quote:
“I wrote some of these songs while recording Beauty Behind the Madness,” he added. “It’s like a fictional book inspired by true events.”
The photographs in VMAN were shot by Inez & Vinoodh. Meanwhile, Mel Ottenberg styled the shoot, which features smoke, motion, and a contemplative Weeknd.
Quote:
ON HIS NEXT ALBUM:“There are new inspirations on this album. The production feels aggressive but still sexy. The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles. We wrote it all in Los Angeles. I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done. It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced.”
ON ETHIOPIA’S INFLUENCE:“You hear it mostly in my voice. I’ve been told my singing isn’t conventional. Ethiopian music was the music I grew up on, artists like Tilahun Gessesse, Aster Aweke, and Mahmoud Ahmed. These are my subconscious inspirations. ‘The Hills’ was the first time you actually heard the Ethiopian language in my music. It will definitely be key on this next record.”
ON FAME:“Being anonymous had its perks, but it feels great to be recognized for all of the work we’ve put out.”
ON BEYONCÉ’S “6 INCH”:“It feels great seeing the character of a powerful woman be sexy, yet take matters into her own hands and not feel so helpless.”
I have to admit "BBTM" was a little bit too commercial for my taste, great album (The Hills ) but with generic flaws, far from the incredible work of "Trilogy". But I feel like he's gonna fix this with the next record, he's not chasing mainstream anymore, he's already in it now. I hope he ditched Max Martin forever.
Abel has always been vocal about his Ethiopia roots if that's what you're referring to
No that's not what I meant.
"We wrote it in Los Angeles" is what I was talking about. He's Canadian, born and raised. Just like every other Canadian that gets famous. They move to the US. It's a stab to the back. We would have a much bigger media outlet if these people stayed here instead of feeling the need/want/urge to live the hollywood lifestyle.
"We wrote it in Los Angeles" is what I was talking about. He's Canadian, born and raised. Just like every other Canadian that gets famous. They move to the US. It's a stab to the back. We would have a much bigger media outlet if these people stayed here instead of feeling the need/want/urge to live the hollywood lifestyle.
You're doing the most, most opportunities for them are in LA so it'd make sense to relocate instead of going back and forth. he's not abandoning anyone.
I'm excited. Though I must say his mixtapes s**t all over his last album. He sold out, but it was the best sell out I've seen. He remained semi-true to his roots while becoming a lot more digestible and radio friendly. Can't Feel My Face is one of his best songs, but the album was still kinda weak and some of the features were the lowest of the low.. I mean Ed Sheeran.. House of Balloons was such a masterpiece. I hope on this record he will start caring more about artistry than hits. We'll see..
King!
) but with generic flaws, far from the incredible work of "Trilogy". But I feel like he's gonna fix this with the next record, he's not chasing mainstream anymore, he's already in it now.