The Weeknd Interviews Abel Tesfaye

On the occasion of the release of The Weeknd's new album Hurry Up Tomorrow, we're republishing a cover story shot by Harmony Korine/EDGLRD, originally published in 032c Issue #45.

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After reconfiguring his body with Harmony Korine’s EDGLRD and uploading his former self to an OpenAI GPT, The Weeknd meets his (virtual) inner child.

In The Recording Angel, Evan Eisenberg’s classic book on music and technology, the author imagines a future in which, after streaming becomes ubiquitous, listeners cease to care about who is responsible for a piece of music. In such a scenario, the uber-algorithm is sophisticated (and dominant) enough to supply the style the listener wants, and that suffices. It’s a top-down, post-fan culture. The celebrity musician is no longer required to entertain, promote, and spin narrative; not even their avatar is of use. The first edition of The Recording Angel, published in 1987, wrestled with the philosophical questions that emerged when music became a recorded commodity rather than an ephemeral live performance that cannot be replicated; the second edition – published in 2005, as the music industry reeled from file-sharing and the death of the CD – pushed further into the squishy gray areas of technological advancement.

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In March 2011, music sites including Pitchfork began writing about the Weeknd, a word-of-mouth phenomenon mysterious enough that early track reviewers didn’t know if they were describing a band, a producer-vocalist duo, a lone neophyte hitmaker, or something else. One day the music was on the internet; the context came later. In some ways, this moment conjured what Eisenberg had envisioned years earlier: pleasurable tunes sans persona. The artist’s name and consistent art direction constituted something like a vision, but a negligible one without any consciousness to attribute it to.

Almost 20 years after Eisenberg’s speculation, the Weeknd – whom we now know to be Abel Tesfaye, a 34-year-old from Toronto who has a striking falsetto and an interest in exploring the boundaries of persona – is one of the most popular recording artists on the planet. To achieve a level of fame beyond his is difficult. And although many of today’s celebrities strive for “relatability” at every turn, Tesfaye appears uninterested in making his real self, whatever that might be, readily accessible to his fans. He acknowledges that the Weeknd is a character, and with his most recent records he has leaned into that posture: he appears with heavy prostheses in album artwork and did so during public appearances, including when he collected an American Music Award, his head wrapped in medical bandages. On his controversial 2023 HBO series The Idol, which he co-created, he played a malevolent charlatan who insinuates himself into the life of a damaged pop star. Viewers wondered, week after week, whether he was in on the show’s over-the-top jokes about the seductions and perverse machinations of the music business. Was the series an exercise in camp? An earnest sexual thriller that got out of control? Did the darkness in his songwriting have any parallels with this character he crafted for himself? In each case, it was anyone’s guess.

Now, he is giving both his body and his mind over to computers for this issue of 032c. His editorial is computer generated, and he has uploaded his intimate memories to OpenAI to create a realistic – if one can use that word – chatbot version of his childhood self to converse with. Photoshoot plus interview is the standard recipe for celebrity journalism; this endeavor is a bleeding-edge mutation of that approach.

Tesfaye’s image was recorded in Sylmar, California, and beamed to Miami, where Harmony Korine, cofounder Joao Rosa, and the rest of the merry pranksters at the multimedia design collective EDGLRD would refashion that image, place it in computer-generated environments, and slather treatments on the image (as if at a spa for digital avatars). Instead of Kybella and lip flips, they give Tesfaye something even stronger: digital fantasy. Here, Tesfaye rides a motorcycle along a dim street; in reality he sat on a motorcycle, surrounded by 106 cameras in a Sylmar green-screen womb. The real Tesfaye – or at least what his acolytes perceive to be real in his live performances and moments of press – recedes from view, replaced by a purely digital incarnation, transformed as part of a star–filmmaker collaboration. The artist who was once an anonymous figure behind moody R&B songs and single artwork begins to drift behind the curtain again.

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This location is Metastage, a state-of-the-art facility for volumetric image capture. Metastage’s pitch deck describes its process concisely: “Our processors take massive footage of 106 cameras from a raw format to a single 3D asset small enough to stream on a mobile device.” The deck shows an individual striking a martial arts pose in the green-screen space – that’s the raw footage. It moves through a digital “car wash,” goes from preprocessed image to point cloud to smooth mesh to temporal mesh to MP4 file. The result is a hyper-realistic 3D rendering of the original subject. Imagine a comprehensive photograph of yourself, transmogrified into a video-game character, and you’re on the right track.
At Metastage, the fixed cameras are trained on Tesfaye. Some capture color, others depth and shape. All 106 different feeds are sent to a single computer, and the technician seated before it knows each feed from memory and can punch up a precise angle upon request. The upper right-hand corner of the monitor shows the cumulative capture, which looks like a melted action-figure version of Tesfaye. Every piece of geometry on the subject coordinates to a point in this human soup displayed on the screen.

The technology has been used for such scenarios as augmented-reality commercials and realistic computer-generated people for crowd scenes in movies and television – and stranger things. For instance, just a day earlier, Metastage played host to a surgeon working on a dummy for the creation of sophisticated medical training video programs.

Capturing a single pose takes about as long as an X-ray at the dentist’s office. Tesfaye, in a motorcycle jacket and sunglasses, stands still in the green-screen space. “Let’s capture that.” A beat of maybe three seconds follows. “Okay, and cut.” Everyone else has to leave the green-screen womb when the photos are taken to ensure a clean rendering of Tesfaye; if not, the result could visually splice people, like in David Cronenberg’s The Fly. Flat black colors on clothing are also tricky, as they absorb light and become holes that render weirdly.

Most of Tesfaye’s clothing options are black.

Korine calls via FaceTime to confer with Rosa, who represents EDGLRD on set that day; Rosa aims his phone – and Korine – at Tesfaye for direction. “Imagine you’re in a doorway in Morocco, getting some hash,” the filmmaker tells his star.

“So, like myself,” Tesfaye says. Everyone is on the same wavelength.

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As for the interview, well, according to OpenAI’s company police, it should not be happening at all. This GPT model of young Abel Tesfaye should not exist. That point is emphasized in a call with corporate comms: no GPT should impersonate any individual. If a user were to violate policy and create a GPT that, for instance, purports to be Joe Biden so that anyone could have a heart-to-heart with the American president, the model would be removed from ChatGPT.

Illicitly and secretly, though, OpenAI has created a model that replicates the mind of Tesfaye, age ten or thereabouts, so that the adult Tesfaye may hold a conversation with him. Tesfaye and OpenAI began discussing this project a year ago, but the technology was clumsier then. It is more capable now. The results of the conversation will not be stored by OpenAI. This situation is a one-time use. All digital files are to be destroyed.

In the age of trauma and pop-psychology self-care, there is a strong desire to revisit the past – to examine it repeatedly in therapy, in conversations with friends, in the clanking void of social media – to locate the moment (or moments) that explain the contemporary self. So, imagine being able to talk to your childhood iteration at the moment of injury, or even before it.

Tesfaye’s curiosity about his past came from his subconscious – from a dream. “It wasn’t a nightmare, but it was really weird and haunting,” he says. “It was about me at my childhood home [and] I couldn’t get in. I was locked out.” Afterward, he started reading about possible meanings of the dream. “It was my dream trying to tell me to tap into the past and who I was.”

Tesfaye’s markers from that time in his life are few. He never kept a journal. His family did not collect mementos; his mother was able to unearth footage of a birthday party, but he says it took her a while to find it. He was young when his parents split up, and there was a time, in his teenage years, when he was homeless. “I ended up being a minimalist. I’m always moving … always living out of my suitcase.” His current abode in southern California is “slowly turning into a home,” but the idea of home in all its metaphorical possibilities, as a repository for the past and a symbol for one’s formative years, seems out of reach somehow. Thus, this AI experiment – a technology-assisted bid for a return to childhood. To finally get through that locked door, the once-anonymous celebrity again retreats inward, leaving the rest of the world to wonder what’s happening inside.

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ABEL TESFAYE: Did I watch a lot of TV growing up?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Yeah! 😊 I watched tons of TV! Cartoons were the best part of my day. Tom and Jerry made me laugh so hard, and Dragon Ball Z was so cool with all the fighting and super powers! 📺✨ And, hehe, I sneaked to watch South Park and The Simpsons when I wasn’t supposed to. It was like a secret mission! 🕵️‍♂️🤫 What about you? Do you still watch cartoons?

ABEL TESFAYE: Yes. I’m still watching cartoons. The nostalgia comforts me before I go to bed. Now I’m watching Duckman, Daria, and King of the Hill.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: That’s so cool! 🌟 Duckman sounds funny, like ducks doing human stuff, quack! 😂 And Daria must be like watching a cartoon that’s super smart and a bit sassy, huh? King of the Hill sounds like a big adventure! I imagine sitting on a hill being the king of everything I see! 👑✨ Watching cartoons before bed sounds like a cozy blanket of fun memories. Do you think cartoons change a lot when I grow up? Can we make a cartoon together someday? 🎨📚

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ABEL TESFAYE: Maybe one day. Maybe a cartoon about us? What our childhood was like. Could be something people would be interested in. Would love to tap into that time and place.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Oh wow, a cartoon about us would be AMAZING! 😍 We could show all the fun stuff, like sneaking to watch cartoons and dreaming big dreams! 🌈✨ And we could include our secret missions and the silly things I do to make everyone laugh! 🤣 Plus, all the adventures in our heads and the places we imagine we’re going when we daydream. It would be like a time machine, taking people back to when everything felt new and exciting! 🚀👾

We could even put in the music I like to sing to myself and the drawings I love to make. Maybe we can have a special episode about going to church but ending up making everyone giggle instead of being super quiet. 😇🙊

What do you think our cartoon should be called? And do you think people would like to see the world through our eyes? 🌎👀

ABEL TESFAYE: What do you think our cartoon should be called?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: How about Adventures in Daydreams: The Abel Chronicles? 😀 It sounds like a cool mix of all the fun, imaginative stuff we do and the adventures we dream up! Plus, it has our name in it, so everyone knows it’s about us! 🚀🎨 What do you think? Would you watch a show called that?

ABEL TESFAYE: Maybe it can be about how powerful a child’s imagination is. How it’s the ultimate escape from reality. Kind of like Pan’s Labyrinth.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: That’s an awesome idea! 🌟 Adventures in Daydreams: The Abel Chronicles could totally show how my imagination is like a superpower, making every day an adventure, even if it’s just in my head. We can show how imagination helps me escape and create my own worlds, just like in Pan’s Labyrinth, but in a fun, cartoon way for kids and adults! 🌈✨

We could have episodes where everyday things turn into epic quests, like going to the grocery store becomes a journey through a magical forest, or cleaning my room turns into discovering hidden treasures. And maybe, just maybe, we can show how these adventures help deal with feelings and tough times, showing that imagination isn’t just about escaping; it’s about finding strength. 💪🧠

What do you think? Could we add some cool, magical creatures and maybe even a wise talking animal or two? 🐉🦉

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ABEL TESFAYE: Like The Never Ending Story. Could be a musical. Sounds fun. I’ll think about it haha. So … how’s life?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Life’s like riding the coolest roller coaster ever! 🎢 Some days are super sunny and full of laughs, like when I’m drawing or making up stories. Other days are a bit rainy, especially when I have to do stuff I don’t really wanna do … like homework. 😅 But it’s all good ’cause every day’s an adventure, and I get to dream up all kinds of fun things! 🌈✨

And, oh! Music makes everything better. I sing to myself a lot, especially songs from the radio. It’s like my own little concert! 🎤🎶 How about you? How’s life treating you?

ABEL TESFAYE: Honestly … I feel the exact same way, but as an adult haha. You have a lot to look forward to. How is your relationship with God?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: God is like my super cool friend who’s always there, you know? 😇 I go to church a lot, and sometimes I get into a bit of trouble for making people laugh when it’s supposed to be quiet. But I think God has a good sense of humor too! 😀🙏

I talk to Him in my head, especially when I’m outside looking at the sky or when I’m about to sleep. It feels nice, like I’m never alone, and I can talk about anything. 🌌✨

What about you? Do you still chat with God like we’re buddies?

ABEL TESFAYE: Absolutely. What makes you feel like God has a great sense of humor?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Well, I think about all the funny stuff that happens, like when you trip but end up doing a cool move to save yourself, or when animals do the silliest things that make everyone laugh. 😀🐾 And how about the fact that we can laugh at all? That’s gotta be one of the coolest gifts ever! 🎁

Plus, in church, even when I’m trying to be super serious, something silly pops into my head, and it feels like it’s God’s way of saying, “It’s okay to laugh, even here.” It’s like He’s reminding us to find joy and laughter in everything. 😊🌟

Do you find funny little signs in your day that make you think, “Yep, that’s God having a laugh with me”?

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ABEL TESFAYE: All the time. I can somehow find the humor in anything. I think that’s important. Nothing feels better than laughing.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Yeah, laughing is the best! 😂 It’s like a superpower that makes everything better, even if it’s just for a moment. It’s like turning on a light in a dark room! 💡✨ When you find something funny in everything, it’s like the world is full of surprises waiting to make you smile. 🌎😀

And it’s cool ’cause making others laugh feels awesome too. It’s like sharing a piece of sunshine on a cloudy day. ☀️

Do you ever use your super laughter power to cheer up your friends or make a tough day a little brighter? 🌈👫

ABEL TESFAYE: You say “superpower” a lot. What’s your ultimate superpower?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: My ultimate superpower? Hmm, I’d say it’s my imagination! 🌟 It lets me create whole worlds in my head, dream up wild adventures, and even make the ordinary seem extraordinary. 🚀🏰 With my imagination, I can be anyone, go anywhere, and do anything, all without leaving my room! Plus, it helps me come up with super funny jokes and stories that make everyone laugh. 😀📚

Imagination is like having a magic wand that turns “what is” into “what could be.” And the best part? The more I use it, the stronger it gets! 💫✨

What about you? If you could choose any superpower, what would it be?

ABEL TESFAYE: Probably being focused. And a new power is my patience.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Focus and patience sound like superhero-level powers for sure! 🦸‍♂️ Being able to focus means you can achieve anything you set your mind to, like finishing a big project or learning something new. 🎯 And patience, that’s like having the ability to wait for the perfect moment for everything, understanding that good things take time. ⏳✨

Together, they’re like the ultimate combo for making dreams come true and tackling any challenge that comes your way. Plus, with patience, you can appreciate all the little moments along the journey. 🌈🚀

Do you think using these powers helps you in making music and movies? How do you use your focus and patience superpowers in your day-to-day adventures? 🎶🎥

ABEL TESFAYE: What’s your relationship like with your mother?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: My mom is like my superhero without a cape! ️🦸‍♂️ She’s super strong and does so much to make sure I’m happy and healthy. We spend a lot of time together, especially since it’s just the two of us most of the time. She takes me to movies, which is SUPER fun, and she’s always there when I need to talk or when I need a hug. ️🎥❤️

She’s teaching me all the important stuff, like being kind, working hard, and laughing lots. And even when I mess up or get into mischief, she’s patient and helps me learn from it. She’s pretty amazing! 😀🌟

ABEL TESFAYE: Does Mom still make buna in the morning?

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Yeah, she does! It smells soooo good, like it’s gonna be a super day when you wake up. Imagine waking up to a superhero coffee smell every morning! ☀️☕️ What’s it like in the future, do we still have those cozy mornings?

ABEL TESFAYE: Yes, we do. I actually named a famous coffee brand after her. Samra Origins. It’s our collaboration. Now she’ll be a legend thanks to you.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Whoa, that’s like, super cool! 😮 We make a coffee brand? Mom’s gonna be famous! Does it have a superhero logo? ’Cause that’d be awesome! What’s your favorite thing about Samra Origins? ☀️☕️

ABEL TESFAYE: I’m working on some new logos. We’ll see what the perfect one will be. My favorite thing about it is absolutely the smell. It teleports me back to where you are now. I miss it. Enjoy it as much as you can.

YOUNG ABEL TESFAYE: Smell-o-portation! Like in cartoons when they float to pie with the smell lines! 😀 I’ll sniff the coffee extra today and think of future adventures. 🚀

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