The stage design maintained the catwalk-style setup that spanned the length of the pitch, from previous After Hours til Dawn Tour performances. [24] Notable religious elements were incorporated into the stage design for this leg of the tour. Midway down the catwalk, a church inspired by the rock-hewn structures of Lalibela was constructed, likely paying homage to The Weeknd's Ethiopian heritage. [25] The church featured multiple levels, enabling The Weeknd to perform on its roof, an intermediate floor, and its ground level. The stage design now also featured a large video screen and illuminated walkway, [26] which ended in a design resembling a Christian cross. The Weeknd premiered wearing a black robe with gold trim, a costume that became a staple for subsequent performances. The new stage design was also used for subsequent touring shows. The concert received positive critical reception, with The Guardian awarding it 4 out of 5 stars in their review. [24]
On August 23, 2024, it was reported that The Weeknd was added to the lineup of the upcoming iHeartRadio Music Festival, for the first time since 2017. [27] On September 21, 2024, The Weeknd performed at the festival in Las Vegas, atop a pyramid formed by red-veiled dancers. [28] In a 20-minute set, he performed "Blinding Lights" and "Save Your Tears" from After Hours, "Take My Breath" and "Sacrifice" from Dawn FM, and "Dancing in the Flames" and then-unreleased "São Paulo" from Hurry Up Tomorrow.
On December 11, 2024, it was announced The Weeknd would be performing at Spotify's first ever Billions Club Live on December 17. The exclusive, invite-only performance at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar was reserved for 2,000 of his top listeners on the platform, celebrating his record as the artist with the most songs surpassing one billion streams. [29] During a 70-minute concert, he performed most of his 24 tracks that had reached the milestone, along with songs from Hurry Up Tomorrow: "Timeless", "São Paulo" and then-unreleased "In Heaven". [30]
Along with the album's release date announcement on November 27, 2024, The Weeknd also announced another "one-night only" concert, this time in Pasadena, California at the Rose Bowl stadium for the day after release, [18] featuring "never-before-seen production", and a stage that will take over the stadium's entire floor. [31] On December 2, 2024, the show was sold out in under one hour, as over 300,000 fans attempted to buy tickets. [32]
On November 4, 2024, American film studio Lionsgate announced their acquisition of worldwide distribution rights to Hurry Up Tomorrow, a psychological thriller film based on the album of the same name. [33] It is directed by Trey Edward Schults, who wrote the screenplay with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, who also produced the film with Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss. Making his feature film debut, Tesfaye stars alongside Jenna Ortega, Barry Keoghan, and Gabby Barrett. Live Nation Entertainment financed the film on a budget of over $20 million. [34] During Spotify's Billions Club concert on December 17, 2024, he announced the movie would release in 2025. [35] Three days later, the release date of May 16, 2025, in theaters only, was announced. [36]
Starting on July 14, 2022, The Weeknd embarked on the After Hours til Dawn Tour, originally in support of his fourth and fifth studio albums After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022), his seventh concert tour. Before the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow, the tour encompassed four legs, totalling 68 shows in primarily stadiums, successively visiting North America (2022), Europe and Latin America (2023), and Australia (2024).
On September 23, 2024, The Weeknd tweeted "NOTE FOR XO: AFTER HOURS TIL DAWN is the tour name of the entire trilogy", [37] therefore confirming that the ongoing tour will also support his upcoming sixth studio album. During Spotify's Billions Club concert on December 17, 2024, he announced touring would continue in 2025. [38] Specific tour dates and locations are yet to be announced.
The Weeknd announced the release of his album's lead single, "Dancing in the Flames", on September 9, 2024, two days after being debuted live at his concert in São Paulo. The announcement followed Apple's live event, where the iPhone 16 Pro was unveiled alongside a teaser of the music video, which was shot entirely on the device. [39] The song, accompanied by its music and lyric videos, was officially released four days later. On September 15, a live audio version of the song was released, taken from the São Paulo performance. Two days later, an acoustic version was released along with a video, in which The Weeknd performed in the same robe as for the São Paulo concert. The initial song debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [40]
Four days after performing live at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, on September 25, the second single "Timeless" with American rapper Playboi Carti was announced. The song had already debuted live at the São Paulo concert earlier that month. It was released on September 27, alongside an accompanying lyric video. The music video was released three days later. [41] The song debuted and peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the Weeknd's highest career debut on the chart. [42]
On October 25, Brazilian singer Anitta shared a post depicting herself with a baby belly and a white face mask. [43] Two days later, she shared a post depicting an ultrasound image of a baby with sharp teeth and a forked tail asking if the creature is beautiful, to which the Weeknd responded how beautiful it looks. [44] The picture was labeled with the coordinates of São Paulo, Brazil, along with a date later revealed as the release date of the third single "São Paulo", featuring Anitta. [45] Released on October 30, the single's music video premiered simultaneously. [46] [47] [48] The song debuted and peaked at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [49]
The Weeknd debuted "Open Hearts," a track from his then unreleased album, during the After Hours til Dawn Tour shows in Sydney's Accor Stadium on October 22 and 23. The song was officially released on November 14, 2024, as part of an immersive music experience in collaboration with Apple, featured exclusively on the Apple Vision Pro. [50] It has not yet been made available on other platforms.
The album cover for Hurry Up Tomorrow features a portrait of Tesfaye in a black tank top, gazing at the camera and seemingly holding back tears. [17] Four special edition vinyl LPs featuring exclusive artwork by Harmony Korine (October 4, 2024), Hajime Sorayama (November 13, 2024), Frank Miller (November 27, 2024) and Jean-Michel Basquiat (December 13–18, 2024) were made available for pre-order. [51] The former two editions were available for 72 hours, with a limited restock on December 2, 2024, also lasting 72 hours. [52] [53]
In an interview with Billboard Brasil on September 6, the Weeknd revealed that a "central song" was composed in São Paulo, with the album exploring different sounds, which he nicknamed "frankenstein". [54] In the same publication, a collaboration with Brazilian singer Anitta was confirmed after months of rumours, although the article was later removed by Billboard. [55]
Michael George Dean is an American record producer, audio engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his synthesizer-heavy instrumentation and audio mixing for high-profile music industry artists. Beginning his career in 1992, he was first credited on releases for Texas-based rappers such as Scarface, Willie D, and Geto Boys, although he has since worked with artists including The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Drake, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Playboi Carti, and Lana Del Rey, among others. As a non-performing lead artist, Dean has released five solo studio albums: 4:20 (2020), 4:22 (2021), Smoke State 42222 (2022), 4:23 (2023), and 424 (2024).
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and actor. Recognized for his unconventional musical production, artistic reinventions, and signature falsetto register, Tesfaye is one of the most innovative and influential artists of his generation.
Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd has released five studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, three mixtapes, nine extended plays, 79 single releases and seven promotional singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has accumulated 20.5 million certified album-equivalent units and 132 million certified digital single units in the US, based on sales and on-demand streaming, as of December 2024.
Jordan Terrell Carter, known professionally as Playboi Carti, is an American rapper. An influential figure among his generation, he has contributed to the progression of trap music and its rage subgenre. He first signed with local underground record label Awful Records in 2014, and later signed with ASAP Mob's record label AWGE, in a joint venture with Interscope Records two years later. Carter gained mainstream attention following the release of his eponymous debut mixtape (2017), which peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-charting singles "Magnolia" and "Wokeuplikethis".
The discography of American rapper Playboi Carti consists of two studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), four mixtapes, one promotional single, and 27 singles. Under the alias Sir Cartier, he began his career by self-releasing three mixtapes: THC: The High Chronical (2011), Young Misfit (2012), and Sensation (2013). These early works helped shape his experimental sound and laid the foundation for his rise in the underground rap scene.
Whole Lotta Red is the second studio album by American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released on December 25, 2020, by AWGE and Interscope Records. The album consists of 24 tracks and features guest appearances from American rappers Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Future. West served as the executive producer for the album, contributing to its overall production and appearing on the track "Go2DaMoon". The primary production was handled by F1lthy and Art Dealer, alongside a host of other producers, including Pi'erre Bourne, Maaly Raw, Lil 88, Jasper Harris, Ojivolta, and Wheezy. Recording for Whole Lotta Red began in late 2018 and concluded in November 2020. The album serves as the follow-up to Carti's debut studio album, Die Lit (2018).
The After Hours til Dawn Stadium Tour, previously titled The After Hours Tour, is the ongoing seventh concert tour by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, in support of his fourth, fifth, and sixth studio albums, After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022), and Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). The tour, which primarily visits stadiums, commenced on July 14, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The tour visited North America in 2022, Europe and Latin America in 2023, and Australia in 2024.
Dawn FM is the fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on January 7, 2022, through XO and Republic Records. The album features narration by Jim Carrey, guest vocals from Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne, and spoken word appearances from Quincy Jones and Josh Safdie. As the album's executive producers, the Weeknd, Max Martin and Oneohtrix Point Never recruited a variety of other producers such as Oscar Holter, Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia.
"Sacrifice" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on January 7, 2022, through XO and Republic Records, alongside his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, as that album's second single. The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Carl Nordström and Swedish House Mafia; with Kevin McCord receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of the 1981 track "I Want to Thank You", performed by Alicia Myers. Production was handled by the Weeknd, Martin, Holter, Swedish House Mafia and Carl Nordström.
"Less than Zero" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released to French contemporary hit radio on July 7, 2022, as the fourth and final single from his fifth studio album Dawn FM (2022). The song was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, and produced by the three alongside Oneohtrix Point Never.
"I Heard You're Married" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd featuring American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released as the fourteenth track on the former's fifth studio album, Dawn FM, on January 7, 2022. A synth-pop and electro-funk track, the two artists wrote the song with producers Calvin Harris and Oneohtrix Point Never with more production credits going to the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter. It is the second collaboration between the Weeknd and Lil Wayne, following their collaboration on the song "I'm Good" from the latter's mixtape, Dedication 5 (2013). The song was met with generally positive reviews, with praise for its production and the Weeknd's vocals.
"Gasoline" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, released as the second track from his fifth studio album, Dawn FM. A synth-pop and new wave track, the song was written by the Weeknd, OPN, and Matt Cohn, and produced by the three alongside Max Martin and Oscar Holter.
"Out of Time" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released to American urban adult contemporary radio through XO and Republic Records on January 25, 2022, as the third single from his fifth studio album Dawn FM. The song was written and produced by the Weeknd and Oneohtrix Point Never; with Tomoko Aran [ja] and Tetsurō Oda receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of Aran's 1983 song "Midnight Pretenders". Max Martin and Oscar Holter received additional production credits. The track also features additional vocals from Jim Carrey, who provides narration throughout the album. The song also won an MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video in 2022.
The original music created by Canadian singer the Weeknd for the 2023 HBO drama television series The Idol, consists of six separately released EPs released between June 9, 2023, and July 3, 2023. Originally, the music was set to be released all together on June 30, 2023, as a soundtrack album titled The Idol, Vol. 1 through XO and Republic Records. However, it was later announced on June 8, 2023, that EPs containing original songs and instrumentals from the show would be released following or preceding the release of each episode. The overall soundtrack was executively produced by Tesfaye himself, EPs contain guest appearances from Mike Dean, Lily-Rose Depp, Suzanna Son, Future, Moses Sumney, Jennie, Ramsey, Lil Baby, and Troye Sivan.
"Popular" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd, American rapper Playboi Carti, and American singer Madonna. It was released on June 2, 2023, through XO and Republic Records, originally serving as the second single from The Idol, Vol. 1, the now scrapped soundtrack album to the Weeknd's HBO television series, The Idol. The song was later included on the 2024 deluxe edition of the Weeknd's greatest hits album The Highlights (2021). An R&B song, it was written by the Weeknd and Playboi Carti with producers Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, and Tommy Rush, alongside The Idol co-creator Sam Levinson, Michael Walker, and John Flippin.
I Am Music is the upcoming third studio album by American rapper Playboi Carti. It is scheduled to be released through AWGE and Interscope Records. The album was preceded by the single "All Red", which was released on his 29th birthday, and serves as the follow-up to his previous album, Whole Lotta Red (2020). Five songs were premiered during his headlining performance at the Rolling Loud music festival at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 15, 2024.
"Fein" is a song by American rapper Travis Scott featuring fellow American rapper Playboi Carti. It was originally released on July 28, 2023, as a track from his fourth studio album, Utopia, before later being sent to US rhythmic radio as the fifth single from the album on March 12, 2024. Produced by Scott, the song was written by the artists alongside additional producer Jahaan Sweet, and Sheck Wes, who has guest vocals on the original version of the song and the version shown in the movie Circus Maximus. The remix version with DJ Chase B was released on April 19, 2024.
"São Paulo" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd featuring Brazilian singer Anitta. It was released on October 30, 2024, through XO and Republic Records as the third single from the former's upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
"Timeless" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd and American rapper Playboi Carti. It was released on September 27, 2024, through XO and Republic Records as the second single from the former's upcoming sixth studio album Hurry Up Tomorrow. The song passed 10 million streams on Spotify in less than 24 hours and debuted in the top ten in 15 countries, and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.