The Weeknd name change

Photo Credit: The Weeknd by Salandco / CC by 4.0

The Weeknd explains why he’s in such a hurry to change his name after his forthcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.

The Weeknd has been talking about changing his professional name to his real name, Abel Tesfaye, for a couple of years now. He’s already changed it on some of his social channels. Now, in a new interview with Variety, he’s explaining what brought on the change.

“I’m [closing the chapter] on my existence as The Weeknd,” he said. “It’s a headspace I’ve gotta get into that I just don’t have any more desire for. I feel like it comes with so much. […] You have a persona, but then you have the competition of it all. It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards, and more No. 1’s. It never ends until you end it.”

But he still fully intends to make music, just not as his former persona. He notes the 2022 moment when he lost his voice at his Los Angeles concert and was forced to reschedule just moments after the show began as a pivotal event in his decision.

“Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life,’” said Tesfaye. “Put the bow on it: Hurry Up Tomorrow? Now we’re here. When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”

He doesn’t think he could ever stop making music though, despite feeling that his The Weeknd persona has overstayed his welcome.

“But everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, The Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered. No one’s gonna do The Weeknd better than me, and I’m not gonna do it better than what it is right now. I think I’ve overcome every challenge as this persona, and that’s why I’m really excited [about the Hurry Up Tomorrow companion film], because I love this challenge.”

Hurry Up Tomorrow, the album, releases later this month on January 25. The Lionsgate film of the same name is slated for release in May.