The Weeknd - Climax’ Made Me Wrathful Because It Sounded Like My Song

THE WEEKND SAYS USHER’S ‘CLIMAX’ INITIALLY MADE HIM ANGRY BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE HIS SONG

No gainsay The Weeknd's impact over today's string of moody/alternative R&B. The singer-songwriter has changed the viewing of the breed with his mix of synths and dark lyrics but the artist believes he inspired one of the biggest artists in the genre in the process.

This was a bold commitment to drop an album in the light of the current circumstances that the world is dealing with.

The Toronto singer is on the cover of Variety‘s latest issue, The Weeknd discussed the success of After Hours, transitioning into mainstream music and his presence in R&B. While speaking, he talks about the album, why he stuck with not delaying it, the progression of his sound and more.

While looking back on his classic 2010 mixtape House of Balloons, he noted how two years later he began hearing his sound in other artists.

“House of Balloons literally changed the sound of pop music before my eyes,” 

he said.

“I heard ‘Climax,’ that [2012] Usher song, and was like, ‘Holy f**k, that’s a Weeknd song.’ It was very flattering, and I knew I was doing something right, but I also got angry. But the older I got, I realized it’s a good thing.”

On sticking with the release date despite the Coronavirus pandemic, The Weeknd said:

“Fans had been waiting for the album, and I felt like I had to deliver it. The commercial success is a blessing, especially because the odds were against me: [Music] streaming is down 10%, stores are closed, people can’t go to concerts, but I didn’t care. I knew how important it was to my fans.”