The Weeknd X Jean-Michel Basquiat
Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name, The Weeknd is set to unveil a remarkable collaboration with the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. For this, he will pay homage to the artist through a vinyl design for his upcoming album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” The vinyl will be released on January 24 2025, in a film starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
It remained largely unseen until licensing agency Artestar connected Tesfaye to it. The Weeknd took to Instagram; revealing the cover; and expressing “privilege.” The partnership with the Basquiat estate suggests themes of freedom, aspiration, and challenging societal norms in The Weeknd’s upcoming music.
What About the Jean-Michel Basquiat Original?
The limited edition vinyl features Basquiat’s rare 1977 sketch, which he made when he was only 17. It captures the unfiltered, rebellious spirit that characterised Basquiat’s career, aligning perfectly with the balloon motif in The Weeknd’s first mixtape House of Balloons (2011). You can even see it in The Weeknd’s hairstyle; yet another homage.
The design depicts a figure holding a balloon, soaring above a crowd of people and incomplete buildings. The speech bubble says “Ho-Hum.” This imagery, referred to as “working-class heroes” against “unfinished buildings,” is a conflict between ambition and societal constraints. The phrase “upon leaving the ‘norm’” is placed at the top; symbolising resistance and freedom – concepts that resonate in both The Weeknd’s music and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artistic contributions.
The Weeknd’s Deep Appreciation for Art
In November, The Weeknd unveiled two additional limited-edition versions of the Hurry Up Tomorrow, each featuring artwork by comic book artist Frank Miller and Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama.
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Connection to the Industry
This isn’t the first time that Jean-Michel Basquiat has provided cover art for musicians. He designed the cover for the 1983 single ‘Beat Bop’ by Rammellzee and K-Rob; one of which was sold for $126,000 at Sotheby’s in 2020. Another cover is the only record by San Francisco punk band The Offs in 1984. He earned $500 from this gig.
The Strokes used Basquiat’s ‘Bird on Money’ (1981) for their 2020 album ‘The New Abnormal’. The original piece is a homage to Charlie Baker and is being exhibited at the Rubell Museum in Miami. More recently, H&M launched a new clothing line in partnership with the Basquiat’s estate and luxury streetwear brand Who Decides War. This collaboration was inspired by “King Pleasure,” a 2022 exhibition organized by the Basquiat estate in LA. They also showcased 200 rare works by the artist.
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Art Style
Jean-Michel Basquiat was a vital participant in New York City’s downtown art scene in the early ’80s. His creations often blended text and visuals while incorporating social critiques on issues like racism. A media sensation who was linked romantically to Madonna, Basquiat’s works were garnering substantial prices even before he died in 1988 at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose. In 2017, one of his paintings fetched a staggering $110.5 million, setting a record.
Image Courtesy – Artland Magazine
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