Music
The Weeknd Clarifies His Usher Comments As The R&B Veteran Starts 'Climax' Challenge -- Plus Diplo Chimes In
By Ricki Mathers
Apr 9, 2020 5:08 PM
Source: People
The Weeknd’s album speaks for itself. However, it wouldn’t be a proper press run for any artist if there wasn’t a bit of controversy surrounding it.
Between his lyrics that reference his personal life and the tantalizing visuals that go along with them, The Weeknd’s artistry is as unique as it comes.
He often cites Ethiopian music and Michael Jackson as the primary sources of inspiration which is very clear.
Recently, the Starboy sat down with Variety and ruffled some feathers when he spoke about Usher’s 2012 hit Climax being a Weeknd song. The hit came out after he released his album House of Balloons that changed R&B forever.
After a proper dragging on social media, Usher entered the conversation by serving live vocals when he sang the chorus in a clip posted to Instagram starting the Climax challenge.
the production on Climax lends itself to House of Balloons era @theweeknd. when I heard those early records they blew my mind – soulful in their silences, and a spacey iconic voice that felt uniquely internet. the idea of R&B having dark edges was what I wanted to bring to @usher
— diplo (@diplo) April 9, 2020
Social media users highlighted the shade and took it as a weapon to use against The Weeknd whose vocals are not as strong as Usher.
Diplo, who produced Climax, took to Twitter to offer another point of view.
‘the production on Climax lends itself to House of Balloons era @theweeknd when I heard those early records they blew my mind – soulful in their silences, and a spacey iconic voice that felt uniquely internet. the idea of R&B having dark edges was what I wanted to bring to @usher.’
The Heartless singer himself also chimed in to clarify his earlier comments that stated he was ‘angry’ when he first heard the song. He also acknowledged that Usher is a legend.
https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1248328198510657543
‘Of course media blows things out of proportion and takes things out of context. Usher is a King and always an inspiration so it was flattering to hear what him and Diplo did on climax. XO’
What do you think of this misunderstanding?