Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

The Weeknd Credits His Raunchiest Lyrics to One Problematic R&B Figure: ‘That’s Me Paying Homage’

The Weeknd shares some of his influences in a throwback interview, revealing how one problematic R&B artist informed some of his choices.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

When you listen to The Weeknd, his musical influences become immediately evident. The further he got into his career, the more he gleaned from Michael Jackson. The sexy 80s synth and the softness in his voice felt like you could pluck it straight from MJ’s Thriller era.

However, another big appeal about the Toronto singer is how he juxtaposes his sweet voice with crude lyrics. His songwriting early in his career would dive into extremely raunchy and hedonistic territory.

The Weeknd has the voice of an angel, but he would sing with demonic energy in his music

But where does that come from? In one of........

© Vice