Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye’s creative juice is coffee

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You can now start your day with Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye with the artist’s latest collaboration, “Nespresso | Samra Origins by The Weeknd.”

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The Weeknd, who is transitioning his stage name to his given name, Abel Tesfaye, is a proud Canadian of Ethiopian descent.

Born in Toronto into an Ethiopian home, Tesfaye says both identities “keep me grounded.” I can see why that is necessary, as the superstar has quite the resume, including four Grammy Awards, nominations for an Academy Award and an Emmy Award and the title of the first Canadian solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

Tesfaye added “coffee entrepreneur” to his CV in 2023 by starting the brand SAMRA ORIGINS, named after his mom, Samra. He was inspired by the Ethiopian coffee ritual, which is centred on community and bringing family and friends together. The collaboration between Samra Origins and Nespresso brings “rich, bold flavours that take you beyond the cup.”

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Beyond the cup, Tesfaye is on his Hurry Up Tomorrow tour across Canada and the U.S. and just released a film of the same name (check out his Hurry Up Tomorrow album). The tour, not unlike the ethos of SAMRA ORIGINS, is about “connecting between humans, conveying artistic self-discovery and healing alongside the chaos of it all,” says Tesfaye.

What else is on the very busy schedule of the Canadian megastar? ”You and I both will see in time,” says Tesfaye. Learn more from Tesfaye from our exclusive interview below.

Q&A with Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye

Q: Why does partnering with Nespresso feel right for you?

A: Nespresso is really credible and curatorial with their product, and that results in a lot of integrity with what they are doing, and that makes it feel like a natural fit.

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Q: Why did you decide to start a coffee brand?

A: I was raised in an Ethiopian household where coffee and its rituals were deeply sacred and significant. This profound connection to coffee made my eventual decision to create a company feel incredibly natural and organic.

Q: Is your creative process the same when you’re making music, a movie and other endeavours (like a coffee collab)? Please explain.

A: My process with anything I am creating always stems from an authentic passion and acting on ideas that strike me as compelling, whether it’s a film, song or a product. They all have the same underlying drivers, which stem from authentic, excited intention.

Q: When do you come up with your best ideas? What are you doing?

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A: I come up with great ideas when tweaked out after coffee! In seriousness, I would say I do get reflective and focused after the coffee ritual, and ideas do flow strongly in that state, in addition to flow states very late at night.

Q: What’s next for Abel Tesfaye, as you transition from your stage name “The Weeknd” to your given name?

A: You and I both will see in time.

Q: What’s the ethos of your Hurry Up Tomorrow tour?

A: The tour ethos are about connecting between humans, conveying artistic self-discovery and healing alongside the chaos of it all.

Q: How do you relate to your Ethiopian and Canadian identities?

A: I’m very proud of my Ethiopian and Canadian identities—both of them keep me grounded. It can be about honouring family traditions or just being genuinely nice (because that’s what Canadians do best!), and humility is the common thread.

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Q: What’s your favourite thing to do in Canada?

A: Reconnect with friends and family as much as I can when back home.

Q: What’s your favourite restaurant in Canada?

A: My mother’s kitchen.

Q: How do you take your coffee?

A: Just black.

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