The Weeknd was unlike any other musician. He synthesized songs that brought fans to their knees, literally. The sound, beat, and vocals on his debut mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence sent chills down spines and tears down faces. People related to his experiences, so his spiritual connection grew from the thousands to the millions.

Everyone lusted after the talented enigma, and they clung to every ambiguous tweet, Instagram post, and appearance. The commercial success of his musical trilogy left record labels and devotees with high hopes. Unfortunately, the Weeknd’s following album, Kiss Land, was a profit-oriented dud. The lack of fame and fortune propelled the artist into different avenues. While he gained momentum, his creativity took a nosedive.

The Weeknd’s Fall

His brief break in 2014 replenished his beaten spirit. The article entitled “How the Weeknd Went From Broke in Canada to Sharing Stage With Taylor Swift” published his afterthoughts. He said, “Kiss Land wasn’t about what people wanted to hear on the radio … I just kept getting more and more depressed.”

His disorientation led him to the boy wonder of pop producers: Max Martin. They partnered with mainstream mogul Ariana Grande. The trio created her single, “Love Me Harder,” and the instantaneous triumph forever altered the Weeknd’s brand. He relayed, “I want as many people to hear my music as possible … I feel like I’m changing pop culture. Taylor Swift’s audience can listen to me, but so can the street kids. I want to touch it all.” His past two albums, Beauty Behind the Madness and Starboy, soared in acclaim, awards, and sales. But there’s always a price.

The Weeknd’s “King of the Fall”

He traded in his voice for an enterprise culture’s confirmation. Teeny-boppers preached his lyrics, supported his message, and funded his ego. As they raised his platform, the Weeknd’s light dimmed. He was no longer a star; he was just another body.