The Weeknd Opens Up About Making Starboy and Cutting His Hair

Last night, Abel Tesfaye (most commonly known as The Weeknd) sat down with New Zealand DJ, Zane Lowe, for an exclusive interview on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio show. The pair discussed the making of the Toronto-singer’s highly-anticipated third studio album, Starboy—which drops today—and collaborating with personnel ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Lana del Rey, and Metro Boomin to Daft Punk. Fun fact: Tesfaye wrote “Starboy” in “literally 30 minutes.”

Lowe also prodded Tesfaye on intel regarding his new hair (how could he not?!). “Did you keep your hair?" he asked. “Yeah, I did,” Tesfaye laughed, explaining that his infamous ‘do just didn’t vibe with his new vision. For those of you that loved it, never fear: his dreads are stowed away in his manager’s safe.

“It was the greatest feeling of all time; it was so good. I could sleep better, I felt lighter,” he says. “The best part about all of it is I get to wear fucking hats again. Wear a fucking cap and walk into a restaurant and nobody knows it’s you. It’s the greatest feeling.” Hey, whatever makes him happy. You do you, Abel.