It felt like they were setting me up for disaster, I wanted to transcend. In response to an overwhelming number of comparisons between the two artists, The Weeknd commented that “there was like a backhanded thing that didn’t feel genuine. However, it’s essential to mention that despite the clear inspiration that The Weeknd has taken from the King of Pop, The Weeknd adamantly declares that he is his own, distinct artist, with his own definite musical techniques and originality. The head bandages were meant to signify the “absurd culture of Hollywood celebrity and people manipulating themselves for superficial reasons to please and be validated.” He continued by telling Variety that “it’s all a progression and we watch the Character’s storyline hit heightened levels of danger and absurdity as the tale goes on.” Ultimately, despite the massive number of memes and flaming tweets that arose from this performance, the elaborate storyline was intended to shine a light on what celebrities often do to stay “young” and “relevant” in Hollywood. Thompson’s book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” which depicts “a reckless man with a death wish” as he “staggers around the Sin City casinos, licks a hallucinogenic toad, and goes off into the abyss.”
The video was based on Gonzo journalist Hunter S.
The Super Bowl halftime show, as The Weeknd noted, was intended to be a continuation of his yearlong narrative circling around his “Heartless” music video. The Weeknd, though, had other intentions for his performance. Many found connections between The Weeknd’s and Jackson’s Super Bowl performances, including Questlove, who tweeted, “Lol I knew he was going to do a subtle nod to MJ’s Super Bowl entrance.” Jayden Panesso also found similarities: “Love the Michael Jackson Vibes from The Weeknd.
The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance was gripping, as all eyes turned to his signature sequined red jacket and the flashy pyrotechnics - which were a nod to Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl entrance - coupled with dozens of bandaged backup dancers.Īfter the performance, viewers rushed to Twitter to share their thoughts about the stimulating show. It seems that The Weeknd is reinventing his outward appearance to send a message, which leads us to … The Weeknd’s Super Bowl Performance The black suit, curly hair, white gloves, face-covering hat and “mind-blowing” moonwalk all became iconic signifiers of the King of Pop, resulting in live performances that sold out in a mere “matter of seconds.” The Weeknd, too, is well on his way to creating his own set of iconic signifiers, with his staple leather jacket, signature sneakers, distinct stage lighting and slick dance moves, not to mention his more recent persona established by his red beaded jacket, black and white dress shoes and a face covering. The Weeknd’s last media stunt - his faked nose job - and his vague responses to the ordeal further establishes his mysterious persona.įinally, like his predecessor, The Weeknd is in the midst of building an electric stage presence. The Weeknd is no different his minuscule number of interviews and commentary as well as his on and off private relationships with Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez only add to his mystery and elusiveness. Jackson’s mix of shy interviews, constant plastic surgeries and weird stunts like adopting a pet chipmunk all helped to build his mystique - and devoted fanbase. Despite hearing the intro to “Blinding Lights” upward of 300 times on TikTok, I still find the chords and lyrics catchy - an earworm if you will - and it’s unlikely that I’ll tire of this hit anytime soon.Īs this article continues, it details The Weeknd’s elusive charm in relation to Jackson’s. In addition to the clear parallels drawn between Jackson’s and The Weeknd’s songs - found in the meanings, chord progressions, grooves and rhythms - fans have noticed similarities between the two standout artists’ magical voices, their elusive yet charismatic personalities and their unyielding stage presence.Īs the Guru article “3 Reasons Why The Weeknd is Michael Jackson Reborn” argued, The Weeknd’s magical voice is “smooth and smoky like an old whiskey.” His voice, like Jackson’s, is “so hypnotic that you yearn for more every time you listen.” I can’t help but agree. As acclaimed songwriter Savan Kotecha attested, the groove patterns in The Weeknd’s “In The Night” take clear cues from the swinging patterns of Jackson’s famous “The Way You Make Me Feel.” “In the Night,” from The Weeknd’s album “Beauty Behind the Madness,” is yet another song in which fans have found Jackson-esque qualities.