Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, who is better known by his stage name The Weeknd is facing backlash online for singing that he has the ability to turn a queer woman straight by sleeping with her.
The 28-year-old Canadian performer recently released the collaboration Lost in the Fire with French DJ and producer Gesaffelstein, which features the controversial lyrics.
“You said you might be into girls, You said you’re going through a phase …”
“Well, baby, you can bring a friend, She can ride on top your face, While I fuck you straight,” The Weeknd Sings.
In response, English musician Marika Hackman who was one of the first to question The Weeknd for his lyrics tweeted: “Well done to @theweeknd for managing to deride, fetishise and dismiss lesbianism all in one verse.”
While initially Hackman’s post was dismissed by many of The Weeknd’s fans who simply accused the artist of being “sensitive,” more people have since stood up in support of Hackman, and also calling out The Weeknd.
To date, The Weeknd has won a total of three Grammy Awards, eight Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, and has been nominated for one Academy Award.
The Weeknd has sold more than 60 million records in the United States, however still remains tight-lipped on the controversy surrounding his lyrics, and is yet to publicly respond.
