From “Die for You” to “Creepin’,” The Weeknd has become almost synonymous with the upper regions of the Billboard Hot 100 in recent years. With the upcoming premiere of the new HBO drama, idolAbel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is treading into a new arena: TV domination.
idolwhich The Weeknd co-created with an Emmy nominee trance Producer and director Sam Levinson is set to star Lily-Rose Depp, Troye Sivan, Moses Somen, Jenny Robbie Jean, and of course, The Weeknd himself. On Friday (June 2), the “Earned It” singer sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 to discuss idolthe upcoming soundtrack, and his new single “Popular” featuring Madonna and Playboi Carti.
“I’m definitely proud of that,” The Weeknd gushed. “And then Madonna, Madge. It’s the best co-sign for this song, for this album, and for this TV show.”
Originally only a collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti, the “Can’t Feel My Face” singer revealed, “We had a different version of this song beforehand. So I’ve had those sounds for a while and I kind of worked around it, and then I kind of kept it. But now I felt like the time had come.”
“Popular” marks the second single from idol The soundtrack after The Weeknd and Future’s “Double Fantasy” #18 duet. Although “Popular” marks the first official collaboration between Madonna and The Weeknd, the Idol The star promised that viewers will “hear more about her on the show. She is the ultimate pop star.”
With Madonna’s towering musical legacy and unique commercial success, it’s no surprise The Weeknd sings her praises. “I’ve always wanted to work with her,” he muses. “I’ve always wanted to write and produce a Madonna album…well, co-produce with her, of course…because she’s so visionary and she has such a unique vision, and I just want to get into her world and make a classic Madonna album. That’s always been my dream… I hope this is an appetizer for that.”
The Weeknd, who is currently in Portugal and preparing for another leg of his After Hours Till Dawn Tour, worked at idol Soundtrack alongside Sam Levinson and Mike Dean. “It’s a labor of love and this is a collaborative project,” he said. “You’ve got three lunatics in the studio… It’s a very cohesive piece of work.”
Described as “highly experimental, but still trendy”, idol The soundtrack also features production contributions from via spider verse Soundtrack DJ and frequent The Weeknd Metro Boomin collaborator.
idol The premiere is set to air on HBO Sunday (June 4). “I feel great because everyone involved feels good,” The Weeknd Lowe said of the series premiere. “We’re all very proud of what we’ve made. It’s controversial. It is. And, you know, I’m no stranger to that. Sam’s no stranger to it. We’re just excited for people to finally watch it and come up with their own opinions.”
Watch his interview with Zane Lowe above.
