The Weeknd reveals next album will be inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 pandemic



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It may have the fourth best-selling album of the year.

But The Weeknd is already thinking about the next big project.

The 30-year-old hitmaker After Hours recently revealed to special edition zine TMRW that the Black Lives Matter movement and COVID-19 will inspire his upcoming album.

As his After Hours tour was postponed until summer 2021, he said: “ I was more inspired and creative during the pandemic than I would normally be on the road.

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'I was more inspired and more creative': The Weeknd recently revealed to special edition zine TMRW that the Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 movement will inspire their next album

‘I was more inspired and more creative’: The Weeknd recently revealed to special edition zine TMRW that the Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 movement will inspire their next album

“The pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the tensions of the election have above all created a feeling of gratitude for what I have and of closeness to the people near me.

Speaking of his unmatched vocal abilities, he said he was inspired by Ethiopian music growing up, before changing with his albums to represent different sides of himself.

“ The older I got the more exposure I was to more music and my voice became a chameleon going into different characters with each album. By going my own way and breaking industry standards, it seems to be influencing others, ”he said.

Huge deal: Black Lives Matter protest seen in Los Angeles in May

Huge deal: Black Lives Matter protest seen in Los Angeles in May

'It seems to influence others': Speaking of his undeniable vocal abilities, he said he was inspired by Ethiopian music growing up, before changing with his albums to portray different sides of himself, as one sees it in a Christmas selfie last week

‘It seems to influence others’: Speaking of his undeniable vocal abilities, he said he was inspired by Ethiopian music growing up, before changing with his albums to portray different sides of himself, as one sees it in a Christmas selfie last week

Of his career, the Starboy singer said: “ I was laser focused back then and I’m laser focused right now, ” as he called it the “ story ” of his twenties.

“I feel like I’ve spent the last 10 years creating sound and most of my career I’ve been running away from it or duplicating it,” he said.

The past few weeks have been interesting for the star, as the Toronto-based star last month called the Grammys “ corrupt ” after being snubbed in the nominations.

Speaking to social media, he wrote to organizers: ‘You owe me, my fans and the transparency of the industry …’

Insiders said the Can’t Feel My Face artist camp suspected the lack of nominations was a response to the nasty back-and-forth over whether it would perform in the Super Bowl.

The artist, whose full name is Abel Tesfaye, released the record After Hours in March with strong sales and reviews, and it won the Favorite Album – Soul / R & B award at the American Music Awards last Sunday.

Recording Academy Acting Chief Harvey Mason, jr. responded to the singer’s public complaints in a statement to Rolling Stone.

“We understand the Weeknd is disappointed not to be nominated,” he said. “ I was surprised and I can understand how he feels. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and the world at large deserve everyone’s admiration.

“Grammys remain corrupt”: The Weeknd recently spoke out amid reports that sensitive discussions about his Super Bowl performance may have led him to be snubbed in the nominations;  seen in 2019

“Grammys remain corrupt”: The Weeknd recently spoke out amid reports that sensitive discussions about his Super Bowl performance may have led him to be snubbed in the nominations; seen in 2019

Speaking: The Weeknd didn't hold back when he wrote a note to Grammys organizers on social media at the time

Speaking: The Weeknd didn’t hold back when he wrote a note to Grammys organizers on social media at the time

Mason continued, “We would have loved to have him perform on the Grammy stage as well the weekend before ‘the Super Bowl.]Unfortunately, each year there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists. ”

To be clear, voting in all categories ended long before The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance was announced, so that in no way could have affected the nomination process. All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence and we congratulate them all.

Asked by Variety whether The Weeknd went out, Mason said at the time: “ It really comes down to the voting body that decides.

Details: Grammy organizers demanded he gives up taking the stage at Super Bowl LV, before giving in and deciding he could do both

Details: Grammy organizers demanded he gives up taking the stage at Super Bowl LV, before giving in and deciding he could do both

“ We have eight nomination slots to fill [the Big Four categories: Best Album, Song, Record and New Artist], five in others, and voters vote for their favorites. It is really interesting, however.

Mason spoke of the process Grammy officials take to determine which artists are nominated and in which categories.

“We review it annually and make adjustments and revisions to the process; we did it this year, last year we will do it next year. And I don’t think that calls that into question, honestly, ” Mason said. “The process is there so that we can continue to monitor excellence.”

The Weeknd previously won Best Urban Contemporary Album for Starboy in 2018.

Popular: The artist, whose full name is Abel Tesfaye, won the Favorite Album - Soul / R & B award at the American Music Awards last Sunday.

Popular: The artist, whose full name is Abel Tesfaye, won the Favorite Album – Soul / R & B award at the American Music Awards last Sunday.

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