The Weeknd has stepped forward to clarify his remarks about inspiring Usher’s 2012 single “Cllimax.” After Diplo, who produced the song, admitted he drew from the sonics of The Weeknd’s 2011 debut mixtape House of Balloons, Weeknd jumped online to pay homage to Usher and state there was no beef.
“Of course media blows things out of proportion and takes things out of context,” he said. “Usher is a King and always an inspiration so it was flattering to hear what him and Diplo did on climax. XO”
Of course media blows things out of proportion and takes things out of context. Usher is a King and always an inspiration so it was flattering to hear what him and Diplo did on climax. XO https://t.co/GdLX4xD58a
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) April 9, 2020
In a Variety cover story on Wednesday (April 8), the Toronto crooner revealed he felt slighted when he heard “Climax” for the first time.
“’House of Balloons’ literally changed the sound of pop music before my eyes,” he said. “I heard ‘Climax,’ that [2012] Usher song, and thought ‘holy fuck, that’s a Weeknd song.’ It was very flattering, and I knew I was doing something right, but I also got angry. But the older I got, I realized it’s a good thing.”
Usher seemed to take it all in stride at first. The singer joined in on the #ClimaxChallenge, showing off his unparalleled vocals while lying on the sofa. On Thursday (April 9), however, he spiced things up when he tweeted, “Have you ever seen the moon bark back at the dog?”
Usher takes to his Instagram stories to sing his hit song “Climax” after The Weeknd claimed he copied his style in the song. pic.twitter.com/NWVVEuLPo0
— Pop Crave (@PopCraveMusic) April 9, 2020
Have you ever seen the moon bark back at the dog?
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) April 9, 2020
“Climax” originally hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and took home a Grammy for Best R&B Performance.
Revisit Usher’s “Climax” single and The Weeknd’s “What You Need” below.