Filipino hip-hop fans are looking forward to ‘The Weeknd’

August 14, 2018 - 5:04 PM
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The Weeknd
The Weeknd performing in 2016. (Screenshot from Vevo Presents: The Weeknd)

Canadian artist The Weeknd is coming to Manila and fans are in jubilation as another big name in the hip-hop world sets his sights on the Philippines.

Answered prayers

The Weeknd recently announced a forthcoming tour in Asia, the first since he broke into the world stage.

Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, he gained fame for the mixtapes “House of Balloons,” “Thursday,” and “Echoes of Silence,” which collected songs that became hits after spreading on the internet.

He penned songs that tackled topics such as sex, drugs and alcoholism, which he rapped over beats created by music producer friends.

The ‘dark R&B’ sound he carried distinguished him from the other artists in the burgeoning music scene in his hometown Toronto.

The Weeknd earned wider audiences after a compilation of his mixtapes titled “Trilogy” released in 2012 became a hit.

More success came after a worldwide tour and record label signing. He has released three studio albums: “Kiss Land,” “Beauty in the Madness” and “Starboy”, all of which have received generally positive reviews from critics and embraced by fans.

Filipino fans of the 28 year-old R&B singer-songwriter sounded off with their excitement as the news spread.

A deeper look into social media reveals that his fans from the Philippines have been calling for a performance in Manila years before the recent announcement.

He joins a stellar lineup of international acts set to play in Manila this year.

The coming months will see performances from another rising star in hip-hop, Chance the Rapper; rock legends Guns N’ Roses, Paramore and Panic! At the Disco; and pop singer Dua Lipa.