The Weeknd has quickly become a household name over the course of the past few years. Though a lot of Abel Makkonen Tesfaye’s life has been placed beneath the public eye, there are still some facts about this secretive singer that many people do not know. Here, we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about The Weeknd. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: He Used to Cover Boyz II Men Songs. Though it might sound funny now, it’s true! In an interview, he said, “I got a microphone and a sh*tty computer and started recording these corny songs with my friends, Boyz II Men covers and sh*t.”
Number Fourteen: He Is Inspired by Some Incredibly Musicians. He has said that he is most inspired by Michael Jackson, R. Kelly and Prince. This becomes clear if you listen to his album. All three of their influences can be heard.
Number Thirteen: He Is Also Inspired by Kanye. According to The Weeknd, Kanye has been hugely influential on him as well. He said, “[Kanye] definitely helped craft who I’ve been, subconsciously, for the past few years. To actually be with him and talk to him and work with him, it’s just like coming to life.”
Number Twelve: He Is Featured in Lana Del Rey’s Music. The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey have been friends for a long time, and he has admitted that they have both inspired each other. In an interview, he said, “She is the girl in my music, and I am the guy in her music.” Whatever that means.
Number Eleven: He Likes Ethiopian Music. The Weeknd grew up being inspired by Ethiopian artists like Aster Aweke and Mulatu Astatke. His family would play the music around him.
Number Ten: He Is Multi-Lingual. Just like The Weeknd enjoys Ethiopian music, he can also speak and understand Amharic, the language spoken in Ethiopia.
Number Nine: He Loves The Joker. According to him, the Joker is his favorite villain of all time. He likes the Joker because, “…You don’t know his past, you just know what his plans are.”