The Weeknd Max Martin Collab, Ed Sheeran, Waka Rap Battle With GQ

All eyes have been on The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, following the success of his single "Can't Feel My Face." They will stay there as he preps for the release of his new album Beauty Behind The Madness, set for release on Aug. 28. The "Earned It" crooner had a chat with GQ and discussed working with super producer, songwriter Max Martin, who has been integral in writing the new album, Kanye West and a late night rap battle between Waka Flocka Flame and Ed Sheeran.

The often talked about collaboration between The Weeknd and Max Martin has already yielded arguably the song of the summer and there was a lot more written during those sessions together. He described it as a "learning experience" and has a unique take on the space they occupied.

"Max's studio used to be Marilyn Monroe's old house and I came up with the concept for a song called "In the Night" in her bedroom. That was pretty amazing. Unfortunately I couldn't help but imagine Joe DiMaggio's sperm everywhere on the floor."

On Beauty Behind The Madness, The Weeknd has a song with Ed Sheeren titled "Dark Times." After the Much Music Awards in Toronto, they got together with a whole bunch of other artists including Waka Flocka at Tesfaye's condo and partied well into the night. "Ed also did a freestyle battle with Waka Flocka in my kitchen," Tesfaye describes.

I think everyone wants to know who actually won that battle because while Waka is an established, world touring and platinum selling rap artist, Ed Sheeran is an incredibly talented musician. Properly lubricated and in the right atmosphere, he might be able to drop some filthy bars and take down the presidential candidate.

Kanye is a close friend and collaborator of The Weeknd's, appearing on the album and during his Coachella set. That translates over to The Weeknd's style who praises the Yeezy clothing that Kanye has been putting out.

"I really felt like he targeted someone like me. The camo, the army look, the black boots, the nonchalant kind of vagrant look. I relate to it. It relates to my story. Kanye is such a great friend of mine as well, when he asked me I couldn't say no."

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The Weeknd