'Smile': Teasers, release date and all you need to know about The Weeknd's collab with late rapper Juice WRLD
You may have already heard that Abel Tesfaye, most famously known as The Weeknd, is releasing a new song soon that will feature late rapper Juice WRLD. Since its announcement on August 4, the posthumous Juice WRLD track has fans in eager anticipation for its release, so here's what we know so far.
Title
According to a tweet by The Weeknd posted today (August 6), the new song is monikered 'Smile'. The contemporary R&B star teased the track once again and wrote, "the official title is “SMILE” :)" on his verified account.
Release date
'Smile' is set for a release on "Thursday Night," August 6, according to Tesfaye.
The 'Blinding Lights' singer previously teased the track and hinted it will feature Juice WRLD with another post on Twitter. “XO + 999 Thursday Night,” he wrote on August 4. “XO” refers to The Weeknd and his label, while “999” is a symbolic number Juice used throughout his career.
At the time, The Weeknd also shared an old tweet from Juice that alludes to the collab. Originally posted in September 2019, which is approximately three months before he died, the tweet reads, “Me and The Weeknd would make a diamond record…”
The two artists have released critically-acclaimed and successful albums this 2020. The Weeknd's 'After Hours' and Juice’s first posthumous studio album 'Legends Never Die' both opened at No 1 on the Billboard 200, with 'Legends Never Die' briefly dethroning 'After Hours' to hold the record for the biggest debut of the year. 'After Hours' is the fourth studio album by The Weeknd and was released on March 20, 2020, by XO and Republic Records. The LP was produced primarily by The Weeknd, along with a variety of high-profile producers such as DaHeala, Illangelo, Max Martin and Metro Boomin, who all previously worked with The Weeknd.
'Legends Never Die' is the third studio album by Juice, released after his death on December 8, 2019. The album was released on July 10, 2020 and features guest appearances from Trippie Redd, Marshmello, Polo G, The Kid Laroi, and Halsey.
'Legends Never Die' received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted atop the US Billboard 200 albums chart in its first week. It also reached No. 1 in several other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. The album was supported by five singles: 'Righteous', 'Tell Me U Luv Me', 'Life's a Mess', 'Come & Go', and 'Wishing Well'.
'Smile' will mark the first-ever collaboration between The Weeknd and Juice WRLD and follow-up of Juice’s posthumous record.