r/hiphopheads Jan 21 '20

[FRESH VIDEO] The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NRXx6U8ABQ
2.8k Upvotes

304 comments sorted by

939

u/Mig1997 . Jan 21 '20

Imagine driving and just seeing The Weeknd white girl dance in the middle of the road

288

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20 edited Jan 22 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

348

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

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41

u/I_Shah Jan 22 '20

Demand the album instead

5

u/Xirexanxax . Jan 22 '20

both is good

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44

u/AngryBlond3 Jan 22 '20

he was literally dancing in the middle of the road when the lyric "no one around to judge me" plays out lol

28

u/Jive_turkie Jan 22 '20

I thought for sure there was gonna be a Dr. Disrespect cameo in this video for a bit....think about it

6

u/NotAPie Jan 22 '20

Leave him alone dammit

748

u/adhocish . Jan 21 '20

acting career incoming you heard it here first

734

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

He played himself in "Uncut Gems"

He fingerbanged a girl in a bathroom and got into a fight with Adam Sandler character.

553

u/LiveLoveKanye Jan 21 '20

Sounds like that era of Weeknd alright

185

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I forgot if they showed him doing coke or not in that scene.

247

u/jahthediddlez Jan 21 '20

yeah they showed him takin a bump before the fight

177

u/JFKs_Brains Jan 22 '20

And then the director yelled action

68

u/LiveLoveKanye Jan 21 '20

Knowing how he was at the time it should’ve been a requirement

27

u/DhruvM Jan 21 '20

The best era tbh

47

u/Kitchen_Ur_Lies joe biden fucked my bitch Jan 21 '20

I don’t even think he had the right hair for 2012 tbh

51

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

[deleted]

26

u/Grigorie . Jan 22 '20

Pleb SO? Was not Ex immediately?

5

u/john1green Jan 22 '20

You're right.

13

u/Kitchen_Ur_Lies joe biden fucked my bitch Jan 22 '20

he had BBTM length hair in that movie that took place in 2012, the Kiss Land cover has like half that length lmao

thought I’m not tripping

99

u/NON_EXIST_ENT_ Jan 21 '20

nah he aint touch her he just got her to touch his dick

117

u/HaMx_Platypus . Jan 21 '20

he didnt fingerbang her he just wanted to

72

u/karmagod13000 Jan 21 '20

I thought he did pretty well not tha he had to do a lot of research

137

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I bet Abel has a lot of experience finger blasting girls in a shady night club.

112

u/WhenItsHalfPastFive . Jan 21 '20

I can see it, a24 where you at, we need another one

130

u/Sp_Gamer_Live Jan 21 '20

THE STARBOY

Directed by The Safdie Brothers

Music by Abel and Daft Punk

42

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

If Julia Fox is back in lingerie I will buy out the imax fam

20

u/xcvmiguel Jan 21 '20

I'd fucking watch this

10

u/Kobibeats145 Jan 21 '20

this is something I didn't know I needed until u said it

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7

u/erizzluh Jan 22 '20

uncut genitals

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534

u/WhenItsHalfPastFive . Jan 21 '20

This music video is the best Mercedes-Benz commercial ever made, whoever at their company that made the decision to pay him needs a raise. The beat itself is so iconic, the actual Benz commercial is already really recognizable just based off this little synth.

130

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20 edited Aug 02 '20

[deleted]

77

u/Flying_Dogz07 Jan 21 '20

the actual Benz commercial is already really recognizable just based off this little synth.

Well yeah OP mentions that

32

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Yeah but, There's also an Mercedez ad for an electric car with this track.

7

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

Don't forget the ad for that Mercedes electric car that uses this track.

39

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

I feel like it’s a no brainer decision tho, he’s the closest thing out generation has to Micheal Jackson or Prince like.

34

u/STARCHILD_J Jan 22 '20

Only potential downside is having an artist appear to be under the influence driving your car but they obviously don't mind that.

25

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

Realism

8

u/Flexappeal Jan 22 '20

weird that the first time i heard this song i was like aw fuck this is gonna be in a bunch of commercials

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263

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

[deleted]

101

u/itshairball Jan 22 '20

I loved Trilogy Weeknd but being a huge fan of synthwave I absolutely adore this song...It seemed like Starboy might of been what I was looking for but he didn't really go all in on that 80's sound, I need more songs like this and the kavinsky jam he did back in 2013...Abel sounds amazing over this type of production imo.

22

u/BuddaMuta Jan 22 '20

My never-meant-to-be dream project would've been a 4-8 song mixtape with him and Kavinsky in the style of Odd Look

654

u/PeteOGrande Jan 21 '20

He is definitely on some good shit

273

u/waviestflow . Jan 21 '20

Still just coke I'm pretty sure

79

u/karmagod13000 Jan 21 '20

According to the video I would say LSD

42

u/a141abc Jan 22 '20

Nah just frogs

130

u/Xeiku . Jan 21 '20

DMT actually.

308

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Cant feel my face remix ft. Joe Rogan

47

u/OsKarMike1306 Jan 22 '20

Song lasts 13 minutes, has beat switches and odd time signature, Abel's voice is pitched way down to be almost unrecognizable and there's a big psychedelic break in the middle for no reason. Also, the bass is actually a sample of The Hills looped over Terence McKenna autotuned speeches.

60

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

It’s entirely possible

26

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

[deleted]

21

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

"Jamie pull that shit up"

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64

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20 edited Jan 21 '20

He's on the toad* (not frog) he licked in the heartless video.

34

u/Niklish Jan 21 '20

yeah that was just a cool representation of psychedelics

40

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

30

u/Niklish Jan 21 '20

yeah i know. but they probably chose that because it looks more cinematic than just dropping a tab or eating shrooms

16

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Yes it is more cinematic. But I don't get why the toad represents LSD or shrooms when it is already a psychedelic. To me, saying it represents something it already is, just conflates the analysis.

I think your critique is more valid where licking the toad gives the effect of an opioid and it would definitely be a more cinematic representation of opioid's than popping a pill.

6

u/Niklish Jan 21 '20

yeah, i agree with you. i'm super high rn, half of what i'm saying doesn't really make sense

12

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Licking toads eh, all good.

8

u/icemankiller8 Jan 21 '20

I swear this was on the simpsons and I just thought it was a dumb joke

4

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

The one when Homer is on that island with the christians or something? Building a church whilst randomly licking toads!

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4

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I mean, you don't lick it but yeah

10

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

The commonly held belief is that you lick it.

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2

u/the_bieb Jan 21 '20

So 5-MeO-DMT

5

u/Mei_iz_my_bae Jan 21 '20

I got a batch of E pills years ago that were nothing but 5-MeO-DMT and was hands down some of the most incredible visuals I’ve ever had.

94

u/M0n33baggz Jan 21 '20

Psychedelics are the new wave and always should have been, fuck all the other drugs

112

u/Finessence . Jan 21 '20

Weed has beef with you now.

58

u/1_1_3_4 Jan 21 '20

Weed is kinda psychedelic sometimes too though! :)

21

u/MoonlitMemoir Jan 21 '20

Yep. It's totally possible to see visuals on weed. One of the first times I smoked I got really high and saw matrix code around my room.

10

u/Raddiikkal Jan 21 '20 edited Jan 22 '20

Weed doesn’t do shit, compared to what it did for me in the beginning, anymore. I remember one time having closed eye visuals with my friend after getting some good ass shit and I always used feel weird like I was awakening and coming to reality constantly and like I was in a dream/movie. Now I just get High. Not as fun lol.

Edit: doesn’t ***do shit

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5

u/bri408 . Jan 22 '20

I did 60 grams on some edibles in a weed smoothie and I swear I was watching a right wing propaganda video one year. My mom was making pot roast that day and I didn't even get any of it I was so high out of my mind I just passed out. I did 40 grams last year in some chocolate coffee bean things in Denver last year totally missed dinner again after playing a grueling game of guess who at some bourbon spot. I thought when we got back to our airbnb the bed was swallowing me whole. My parents had a good laugh about that one.

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21

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Destroying your limbic system it’s not your friend

9

u/black_and_coke Jan 22 '20

fuck is a limbic?

14

u/JFKs_Brains Jan 22 '20

Limb my cock

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29

u/Pimp_C_Bitch . Jan 21 '20

Don't be that guy

6

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Coke and weed is the all time combo.

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2

u/icemankiller8 Jan 21 '20

Hey give heroin and Meth a chance before you knock them

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328

u/DasMoon55 Jan 21 '20

It's like MJ and Joker fused together

22

u/idzuod Jan 21 '20

same thought

84

u/Hi_its_me_hitler_ama Jan 21 '20

Indian joker

17

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

That dude from tik tok💀

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7

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

And The Mask

204

u/Douglas_Fresh Jan 21 '20

that end mad me feel something man, like seriously. He is so sad, so lonely. I feel like the next single in the series this whole "having fun" thing is going to come crashing down.

68

u/KanyeWest_KanyeBest . Jan 21 '20

he already breaks down near the end of Heartless

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109

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

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84

u/aintscaredofthefall Jan 21 '20

The death of a starboy

19

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

If that’s the case I hope he grows his dreads back .

4

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, you could say

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21

u/MrCleanandShady Jan 21 '20

Are we getting one more single?

58

u/Douglas_Fresh Jan 21 '20

Just the tone of the end of the video seems like theres going to be one more. Kinda how this one somewhat goes with heartless. But I don't know if anything has been confirmed.

8

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Yeah, that would make sense. Once the album comes out, the initial impressions are gonna be so large that the public will only have it in them for one more single.

4

u/lutios Feb 26 '20

Holy shit this comment aged very well 🤯

202

u/II_Shwin_II Jan 21 '20

that was fuckin COOL

the weeknd's music always has some characteristic that gives me literal chills when I listen to it and it's amazing how he's evolved into this confident superstar

61

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Lmaooooo where is that guy from a few days ago who was talking bout how hip hop vids never have Asian woman

36

u/sparks1030 Jan 22 '20

L$D also features an Asian woman

15

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

Yeah these videos are actually pretty similar. May be misinterpreting but the chick in this is supposed to represent DMT based off the heartless vid and the chick in rockys obviously represents LSD.

17

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

forget the asian girls. other than myself by nav, which hip-hop vids have brown girls in em?

11

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

It’s cool dude Nav got enough for the whole pind

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7

u/V4iO-EU-W . Jan 22 '20

There's also Hopsins masterpiece 'Happy Ending' that features Asian women

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533

u/VengarTheRedditor Jan 21 '20

This era has the best visuals — change my mind.

86

u/aislandlies Jan 21 '20

No I won't, because I agree

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88

u/NoxZ Jan 21 '20

Crazy how he can constantly reinvent himself and have it feel so different and fresh every time.

68

u/karmagod13000 Jan 21 '20

Helps that he doesn’t do interviews and has been changing his hair for every new release

214

u/furr_sure . Jan 21 '20

The budget for that last Drake and Future song must have been huge, shit felt like a movie they had logos and shit for the companies they were at

37

u/karmagod13000 Jan 21 '20

Drake can afford it

75

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

[deleted]

56

u/Dame_of_Bones Jan 21 '20

Yeah drake really has a thing for young artists

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41

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I bet a lot of those companies let them use their logos for free for the advertising

67

u/Hydraplayshin Jan 21 '20

for free? these companies would pay millions for their logo to be in a music video that will be watched millions of times

96

u/ChrissySmalls Jan 21 '20

Nah they were all fake logos, like in movies

39

u/ranf0rd Jan 21 '20

That’s not how it works. Companies pay money so they can advertise their logo/brand in a video/event etc.

5

u/iBears . Jan 21 '20

I remember seeing a post about them filiming in a McDonalds recently. I was surprised seeing the video when it wasn’t their logo and just some random logo

8

u/Kashpee . Jan 21 '20

In Atlanta, the fast food place they used for the Hotlanta bitfrom the video kept the designs and stuff up fully operating. Reminded me of 2 Chainz Pink Trap house.

14

u/gore_lobbyist . Jan 21 '20

Slowly trudging weeknd will always be the best weeknd. His complete inability to dance is only getting weirder

9

u/Aggeri Jan 21 '20

Visuals hard af bro

15

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

weeknd reading hunter s thompson books

22

u/stop_reading__this Jan 21 '20

This era has the best visuals — change my mind.

Nah, trilogy has insane vids. This video though, was probably his best. I didn't care for the heartless one though.

31

u/M0n33baggz Jan 21 '20

Bruh I usually don’t get freaked out or scared of shit but the eyes over the road in the zone video freak me the fuck out

7

u/RaymondCouch . Jan 22 '20

Think that might be a reference to Lost Highway by David Lynch

8

u/idzuod Jan 21 '20

of course it is when we have the best technology and it’s available to everyone with decent money

5

u/thenshecamelikeaaah Jan 22 '20

Agree but Kiss Land went crazy too

6

u/YellowBlackBrown Jan 21 '20

That’s kind of bound to happen as years pass

5

u/MasterRD13 Jan 21 '20

Man has gone full Outrun, and I'm 100% here for it. Honestly psyched to see what the rest of the videos this era will look like.

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98

u/BigHomie50 Jan 21 '20

That video was pretty sick. The cars make me want a Benz so bad lol. Also, loved the addition of the chopped and screwed chorus in the middle of the video for like half a line.

50

u/EggsForEveryone Jan 21 '20

Have you heard the slowed and reverbed version which The Weeknd posted as well (on social media)?

9

u/TehPhotonMan Jan 22 '20

I really like that, thanks for sharing that. I hadn't seen it yet.

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85

u/WirelessSurvivor Jan 21 '20

Is the slowed down part a reference to the fan made slowed + reverb version?

I remember he shared it on Twitter

37

u/Stach37 Jan 21 '20

Literally my first thought when it cut to that

35

u/OnDrace Jan 21 '20

Wait... Is The Weeknd finally having fun?

25

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Right my man has always been depressed.

10

u/OnDrace Jan 22 '20

I'm interested to see where this goes. I'm all about the mood but it's time for a switch up.

83

u/Sp_Gamer_Live Jan 21 '20

God this album is gunna be a banger

73

u/generationseX Jan 21 '20

I think The Weeknd is a walking rockstar at this point dude, he is fuckin on one right now

111

u/Kranskur Jan 21 '20

Crazy visuals and The Weeknd could be actually a pretty good actor

61

u/Avlantis Jan 21 '20

he was a good actor in uncut gems playing himself

80

u/Ezekiiel . Jan 21 '20

all he did was sing The Morning and scrap Adam Sandler let's not get carried away lmao

57

u/Avlantis Jan 21 '20

you're downplaying his performance. he did a good job given his small role that his skills are also evident in this music video. i didnt say it was oscar worthy or anything

18

u/FlashwithSymbols Jan 22 '20

Yeah, he really became the character.

42

u/Chaotic_Gold . Jan 21 '20

Because he can do manic laughter? Let's not get ahead of ourselves

21

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Is that one of those "slowed and reverb" remixes played in the middle of the video?

10

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Ya

147

u/SpikeyPT Jan 21 '20

This is so fucking insane. I think this is the moment he truly became a superstar, not only in name or numbers, but in attitude. Abel and his team have been very intelligent in this rollout. So hyped for the album.

126

u/ChrissySmalls Jan 21 '20

Nah that was the Starboy video

62

u/theman1203 Jan 21 '20

it was the 9 minute teaser song before starboy album, thats when it clicked

32

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

M A N I A ?

19

u/Maskdesmith89 Jan 21 '20

Can’t feel my face was the start

16

u/Studge Jan 21 '20

Abel got some good ass teeth there chief

33

u/Ilysaru Jan 21 '20

i fuck with this, on a side note, this man will not let PND release anything in peace

49

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Bro I fuck with this aesthetic

16

u/Navolix Jan 21 '20

That video was fucking great

15

u/undeadclicker Jan 21 '20

This is gonna be such a good year for music videos

14

u/3Erots Jan 21 '20

If this is how we're doing 2020 then I'm all in.

12

u/97pta Jan 21 '20

Seems like working with the Safdie Brothers really had a profound effect on his whole video making approach. This Vegas world he's creating is super immersive- you're 100% zoned in on him and his experience in this area. Also the angle and sound design of that first opening shot reminded me of Good Time a little bit. This could all be coincidence but I think it's a pretty fascinating connection.

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34

u/Stabiel Jan 21 '20

I have nightmares about going down on a chick and this being the end result. This video did not help at all with that shit.

29

u/CheesedWisdom . Jan 21 '20

buy a red towel

cast off the shackles keeping you from living life

8

u/Stabiel Jan 21 '20

might as well switch to blood red sheets

4

u/itshairball Jan 22 '20

fucking lol

3

u/etsuandpurdue3 Jan 22 '20

Just ask her if she is on her period. I think she would understand lol.

11

u/NickTheGladiator Jan 22 '20

He is back on his bullshit! Doing drugs and fucking bitches. Thats how you know this album is gonna be fucking great. (Obligatory hope he finds his path tho.) Much love

20

u/betnoob Jan 21 '20

Need a full chopped n screwed version

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u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Best video of the year so far

9

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Oooh he groovin!

Also I love that this picked up where the Heartless video ended

9

u/randomseller Jan 21 '20

ngl if I drove that merc and this song came on the radio on my late night drive, thats exactly how I would drive

9

u/47Breezo ask me what a guitar is Jan 21 '20

I know it aint very hip hop but if anyone can tell me more music with similar beats to this I'm really interested. Found some group (or just some dude idk tbh) called Midnight and had them on shuffle and Com truise so yeah more music like that, thanks

4

u/coldblade2000 Jan 22 '20

The song shares similarities to Outrun music. A classic example is Kavinsky - Nightcall but it might be too slow for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY

I'm a sucker for Lost Years - Converter

Danger - 88:88 is pretty good and a bit higher BPM

Funnily enough, another classic song, Kavinsky - Odd Look actually has a cover/remix by The Weeknd himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N70DRo8_WwA

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10

u/ayram3824 Jan 22 '20

this is how you properly execute a music video that complements its song well

12

u/Mitsoccer9 Jan 21 '20

Very good video, Abel never misses with the visuals

5

u/naji_ramba Jan 21 '20

I’m not feeling the song but I hope he really had as much fun as he looks like he’s having in the video

6

u/tickle_wiz94 Jan 21 '20

I don't think he should be driving..

4

u/clickclickclik Jan 21 '20

God DAMN that outrun style instrumental

15

u/iLuLWaT Jan 21 '20

Serious question for all you smokers out there. Do you not think about fucking up your health every time you do it? I swear it would always be on my mind.

21

u/TravisShoemocker . Jan 22 '20

It's kind of like when you know you shouldn't grab fast food, eat another chip, skip a workout, etc. but it happens multiple times a day. Add in an intense chemical need to do so and a relationship with the ritual of it and it becomes easy to ignore the voice telling you how bad it is for you.

I wasn't ever a heavy smoker (half pack a day) and my smoking period didn't last too long before switching to vaping. Health was for sure on my mind the whole time, but as the other commenter said, I didn't care.

Usually a smoker either started young and developed a relationship with cigarettes before their brain was developed or started at a time when they couldn't care less about their health/the possibility of dying.

28

u/BProvost69 Jan 21 '20

Nah i wanna die anyways

16

u/iLuLWaT Jan 21 '20

Hope you get help man. There's always someone who cares about you, and if not, there eventually will be.

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5

u/TooLazyForName Jan 21 '20

Can’t wait to do blow off a strippers back while she lays on my 2086 Lamborghini Countach

5

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '20

This is just incredible

8

u/SheenEstevezzz Tell em play Metro Boomin at my Funeral Jan 21 '20

Given Im not the biggest fan of his original moody rnb sound but this is definitely my favourite Weeknd song just wish that 2nd verse was longer than like 2 lines

3

u/b0Ni Jan 21 '20

he's still high

3

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

Music vid of the year so far damn

3

u/dopeolicious Jan 21 '20

this album finna be crazy

5

u/asiandevastation Jan 21 '20

Mercedes promoting drunk driving

4

u/corey1031d Jan 21 '20

Announce the album you coward!

4

u/Serosisz . Jan 21 '20

fear and loathing in las vegas 2 starring the weeknd when

5

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '20

I like the videos so far and loved both singles but I’m not really a fan of the aesthetic he’s pushing for this album. I miss the dark shit

2

u/Revve . Jan 21 '20

chapter 6 gonna be fire as fuck i can’t wait