The Weeknd is currently copping a lot of heat for his latest tracks, which feature lyrics which many have cited as being homophobic.
Over the last few years, The Weeknd (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye) has become one of the most consistently popular acts going around. With his albums and singles constantly topping charts around the world, it’s fair to say that almost everything he touches turns to gold.
On Friday however, the artist’s vocals were featured on ‘Lost In The Fire’, the latest single from French producer Gesaffelstein. While many fans of The Weeknd have been trying to work out whether the lyrics are about girlfriend Bella Hadid and rapper Drake, others have been quick to point out just how controversial some of these lines are.
As IntoMore notes, ‘Lost In The Fire’ has come under fire for lyrics that refer to homosexuality as a “phase”, and for the questionable motives behind his promise to “fuck you straight”.
Well done to @theweeknd for managing to deride, fetishise and dismiss lesbianism all in one verse. pic.twitter.com/iefdhs8ACw
— Marika Hackman (@MarikaHackman) January 11, 2019
According to commentators on lyrics annotation site Genius, the lyrics in question reportedly refer to the rumoured bisexuality of The Weeknd’s partner, model Bella Hadid. However, numerous people have been quick to take the artist to task over his lyrics, calling them damaging to the LGBTQI+ community.
i don't like cancel culture & i'm not saying "cancel the weeknd," but these are the kinds of lyrics that fucked me up when i was younger & subconsciously kept me in the closet. so it's important to talk about and say "this is isn't ok"
— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/ellenpenrose_/status/1083846709728460803
https://twitter.com/lexagriffinns/status/1084106424651792389
absolutely not here for @theweeknd's new song which is #1 on @Spotify's new music right now despite its blatant lesbo and biphobia https://t.co/HhyHuVpHh5
— Trish Bendix (@trishbendix) January 11, 2019
This isn’t the first controversy the artist has been involved in recently, with a lawsuit being filed back in September against The Weeknd and Daft Punk for allegedly ripping off their 2016 hit ‘Starboy’.
Somali-American poet Yasminah came forward to claim that the pair stole portions of her track ‘Hooyo’, which was released a full seven years before ‘Starboy’.
Yasminah also noted that the track uses the “same hook, same key, similar tempo”, and features a very similar beat that showcases “prominent claps on beats 2 and 4”.
Neither The Weeknd or Gesaffelstein have commented on the controversy surrounding ”Lost In The Fire” at the current time.
Check out Gesaffelstein’s ‘Lost In The Fire (feat. The Weeknd)’:
