The amount of influence The Weeknd had in this video is insanely obvious. I don't know why I'm surprised actually, the song is basically all him. Great visual.
Video: The Weeknd - The Zone (featuring Drake)
While 2011 was still young, The Weeknd released his first mixtape under an unknown identity and caught the world by surprise. Less than two years later we have his mainstream "debut" titled Trilogy. It consists of his first three mixtape mastered plus three new tracks all for just $9.99 (on iTunes). One of the new tracks, "Twenty Eight", is actually free for download on iTunes for a week.
It's a steal.
Video: The Weeknd - Rolling Stone
To those disappointed by the "simplicity" of The Weeknd's video for "Rolling Stone":
To my fans,
I want to thank you for listening and being patient for as long as you have. No matter what an artist’s ego clouds them to believe, you are the reason why I have been able to continue to do what I love to do and that is to entertain you. My journey for inspiration may seem like masochism to others who have not been given the task to make art, but best believe it brings me nothing but joy.
Because I am a man of few words, I chose to make a viral video to show you how I felt and where I stand. I usually don’t like to ‘spoon feed’ my audience because I grew up idolizing story tellers who tell stories using symbolism, so it was in my nature to do the same. The Rolling Stone video takes place in a dimly lit studio which represents the two worlds I have been stuck in. The gloomy side represents the mainstream world while the other side represents the underground. The girl holding on represents you. As the world slowly gets familiar with my face the more you will lose interest (hence the pieces of her clothing coming off at every shot). The camera lights symbolize the crossover, and when they begin to flash I look away from the underground. Even though I don’t want to, it is a step that I feel I must take to evolve as an artist.
This predicament is impossible to relate to unless you are put in that unique situation. I want you to know and understand that this does not mean what you think it means, and I made sure of that in my deal. You will continue to get what you fell in love with, and I will continue to give you what you ask for. I’ll never make you wait again. With that being said expect more from me very soon leading up to “TRILOGY”. Thank you again for your patience and loyalty, I will not disappoint.
Sincerely,
Abel Tesfaye XO
Wiz Khalifa - Remember You (featuring The Weeknd)
I've been ready to end my chapter with Wiz Khalifa for quite some time now - and then he had to go and make a track with one of R&B's best kept secrets The Weeknd. This is the confirmed second single to Wiz's O.N.I.F.C. (December 4).
It'll take more than a great feature and sub-par verse for him to get back on my daily radar but I'll give him some novelty points. I need that hunger he used to have so much of, or that red suit.
Mixtape: Clams Casino - Instrumental Mixtape 2
;)
Clammy Clams is not only one of the hottest producers right now but also one unselfish dude. Below you'll find a download to his "Instrumental Mixtape 2" which has full beats for songs that he's done for A$AP Rocky, Lil B, Mac Miller, and more. There's a couple remixes thrown in as well. His production is so unique, and when you hear it without the accompanying verses, it really makes you appreciate the originality of him and the artists that he's worked with.
Remix: The Weeknd - The Morning (featuring Dunson) (Chi Duly Remix)
;)
It's been a while since Chi Duly has been on here! Earlier this month he released what might be his most successful mixtape yet which ended up catching even The Weeknd's attention. What makes Ballons of Haus different from the average remix-tape is that instead of just dabbing the original songs with some mixing, Chi Duly let's The Weeknd's work supplement his. This lets a whole new and distinct flavor shine giving ever track a completley new perspective.
This track with Dunson, who is also starting to make a little buzz, was my favorite. Listen to it below, stream the mixtape after the jump, and download it here.
“He’s talking about what every other artist you hear in the club is talking about except he’s artistic, emotionally believable. The Weeknd’s subject matter is already club friendly. The pace however was only bedroom friendly. My project still retains that laid back, mellow uptempo R&B vibe but picks up on a harder electro vibe with the Dirty Diana remix.” - Chi Duly
Download The Weeknd The Morning (featuring Dunson) (Chi Duly Remix) (Bonus Track)
STORi - Just Another Day + Crew Love (Remix)
;)
Here's a song by STORi in which she gives her take on Queen Latifah's "Just Another Day". It's a pretty smooth arrangement and I love the traces of electronic in this. Also listen to her "Crew Love" remix which made me realize how badly I need to stop singing to the Drake and The Weeknd collaboration in my car...
Remix: The Weeknd - Same Old Song (Paper Diamonds Remix)
;)
"I made it big poppin', yeah."
If the original was too simplistic for you Paper Diamond can add in some whoomp whoomp. Same old song, just with a lot more bang. By the way, Echoes of Silence has grown on me a lot since the first listening. Good stuff.
Any Given Saturday #10
;)
You know what, recently I got some haters (Asad and Umbar) who said, "Hey Raza you are SO cool but it's funny how you start out every post the same way." They began to imitate the posts and I didn't respond to them because I didn't feel like it but now I am... SO WHAT HATERS. But you know, I got nothin' but love for you two. Shout out to those peeps. Any Given Saturday #10. Whaaaaaat! I have nothing else to say... so let's go to the songs.
1) I've been going on a Weeknd craze over the past week, especially after seeing that reaction video. The Weeknd recently released a 3rd mixtape titled Echoes of Silence and the internet was going crazy because a lot of the attention went to the opening track "D.D" because it was a Michael Jackson cover and also because he did a great job on the whole tape. The song I'm posting is called "Same Old Song." If you haven't listened to The Weeknd, go out and download all of his stuff. It's worth it.
2) Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y were big in 2011. They took over the mixtape scene with releases such as Kush and OJ and Pilot Talk. They made a mixtape together called How Fly and their song "Car Service" was a favorite track of a lot of people.
That's it for this week guys. I hope everyone has a safe and a happy New Year. Be around friends and family and just think about the good times of 2011 and the big things that are coming for you guys in 2012. Keep coming back to TQF, because we'll be doing big things also in 2012. TQF. "Kill That Noise." Gang Gang. See you guys next year and be safe.
Video: Fan's Reaction to The Weeknd's Echoes of Silence Mixtape
TQFmusic.com. Kill that noise. Shout out to Asad.