5 Shocking Truths About The Weeknd’s “Retirement”: Is Abel Tesfaye Really Quitting Music?
The question of whether The Weeknd has truly retired has been a source of intense speculation among fans and the music industry, especially with the highly anticipated release of his final album under the moniker. As of today, December 12, 2025, the definitive answer is a nuanced one: the artist born Abel Tesfaye is not quitting music entirely, but he is officially retiring "The Weeknd" stage name and alter ego after the upcoming album, *Hurry Up Tomorrow*. This move signals a massive, career-defining shift, closing a decade-long chapter that has dominated global charts and culture.
This transition is less of an end and more of a metamorphosis, with Tesfaye confirming he will continue to create music, though likely under his birth name or a new creative identity. The finality of the persona’s end is tied directly to his forthcoming projects, including a new studio album and an accompanying feature film, which are set to serve as the grand finale for the iconic, dark, and enigmatic character we’ve come to know.
The Complete Biography and Profile of Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye
The man behind the global phenomenon is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
- Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
- Stage Name: The Weeknd
- Born: February 16, 1990
- Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian
- Genre: R&B, pop, hip hop, trap, new wave, dream pop
- Years Active: 2009–present
- Record Labels: XO, Republic Records
- Breakthrough Project: House of Balloons (2011)
- Studio Albums (as The Weeknd): Kiss Land (2013), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022)
- Upcoming "Final" Album: Hurry Up Tomorrow (Scheduled for January 24, 2025)
- Key Accolades: Multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.
- Notable Tours: The Madness Fall Tour (2015), Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour (2017), After Hours til Dawn Tour (2022–2023).
- Other Ventures: Co-creator and star of the HBO series The Idol.
The Truth Behind The Weeknd’s “Retirement” and Stage Name Shift
The narrative of "The Weeknd retired" is a massive misconception. The artist is not stepping away from music; he is simply retiring the specific persona, the "alter ego," that has defined his last five studio albums. This decision has been hinted at for years, but the clarity emerged in recent interviews and announcements surrounding his final project.
The Final Chapter: *Hurry Up Tomorrow* and the End of the Trilogy
The key to understanding this transition lies in his discography. The Weeknd's most recent albums—*After Hours* (2020) and *Dawn FM* (2022)—are part of a conceptual trilogy. The upcoming album, *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, scheduled for release on January 24, 2025, is set to complete this narrative arc and, in doing so, conclude the story of The Weeknd persona.
He has explicitly stated that he has said "everything I can say" as The Weeknd, indicating that the creative well for this specific character has run dry. The persona, known for its dark themes, hedonism, and cinematic visuals (like the iconic red suit and facial bandages), will be laid to rest.
The Clarification: Abel Tesfaye is Not Quitting Music
Crucially, Tesfaye has repeatedly clarified that he is not retiring from music altogether. When discussing the idea of retiring the stage name, he told a major publication that he is "getting there" but cannot "fully" commit to stopping his creative work. "I don’t think I can stop doing that," he remarked, emphasizing his continuous need for creative challenge.
The intention is to transition to making music as Abel Tesfaye. This shift mirrors the career evolution of other major artists who have shed a long-standing persona to embrace their birth identity, allowing for a new level of creative freedom and authenticity. Fans can expect music that is just as innovative, but perhaps with a different thematic and sonic approach, free from the constraints of the established "Weeknd" character.
What The Weeknd’s Future Looks Like in 2025 and Beyond
Far from a quiet retirement, Abel Tesfaye's schedule for 2025 is packed with major projects, confirming his continued presence in the entertainment world. These upcoming ventures solidify the idea that the "retirement" is purely a rebranding of his music career.
1. The *Hurry Up Tomorrow* Movie and Double Tour
The final album, *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, will be accompanied by a feature-length movie, tying into the cinematic universe he has built since *After Hours*. Furthermore, he has teased a massive "Double Tour" for 2025. A double tour suggests an extensive, possibly global, concert series, which is the antithesis of a musician stepping away from the spotlight. This tour is expected to be the final live performance run under The Weeknd moniker.
2. Focus on Film and Television Projects
Tesfaye has already made significant inroads into Hollywood, most notably as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the controversial HBO series *The Idol*. His commitment to film and television is expected to grow. Retiring the stage name may allow him to fully embrace his identity as an actor and producer, Abel Tesfaye, without the constant conflation with his musical alter ego. This expanded focus on acting and production is a key part of his post-Weeknd career plan.
3. New Sound and Creative Challenge
The decision to retire the persona is driven by a desire for a new challenge. Tesfaye has always been a student of music history, drawing inspiration from legends like Michael Jackson, Prince, and David Bowie—artists who constantly reinvented themselves. By shedding The Weeknd, he opens the door to explore entirely new genres, collaborations, and lyrical themes, ensuring his music remains fresh and avoids the trap of "overstaying his welcome."
Key Entities and LSI Keywords Related to The Weeknd’s Transition
The conversation surrounding Abel Tesfaye’s career shift involves several key entities and concepts that provide topical authority and context:
- Abel Tesfaye: The artist’s birth name, which he is expected to adopt for future music projects.
- The Weeknd Persona: The dark, hedonistic alter ego being retired.
- *Hurry Up Tomorrow*: The upcoming album and film, serving as the final project of the persona.
- The Trilogy: The conceptual arc connecting *After Hours*, *Dawn FM*, and *Hurry Up Tomorrow*.
- Double Tour: The extensive 2025 concert series, confirming he is not retiring from performing.
- XO Records: His own record label, which will continue to operate.
- Republic Records: His main label partner.
- *The Idol*: His recent, high-profile foray into television.
- Stage Name Retirement: The specific action he is taking, distinct from "quitting music."
- Creative Rebirth: The overarching theme of his career move.
- Variety Interview: A key source where he discussed "closing this chapter."
- Lana Del Rey: A frequent collaborator and fellow artist known for complex personas.
- Michael Jackson: An influence whose constant reinvention Tesfaye admires.
- R&B and Pop Music: The core genres he will continue to influence.
- Alter Ego: The concept central to his retirement decision.
- Dawn FM: The second album in the concluding trilogy.
- After Hours: The first album in the concluding trilogy, featuring the iconic red suit.
- Kiss Land: His debut studio album.
- Starboy: The album that solidified his pop superstardom.
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