Reminder

"Reminder" serves as The Weeknd's definitive statement on his identity in the face of massive mainstream success. After his album Beauty Behind the Madness and particularly the single "Can't Feel My Face" catapulted him to pop stardom, many longtime fans and critics debated whether he had 'sold out' or abandoned his darker, alternative R&B roots. The song is a direct response to this discourse. The core message is an assertion that despite his pop-chart success, he is fundamentally the same artist. He finds it ironic and almost insulting to receive a 'kids show' award for a song about cocaine, highlighting a disconnect between his public perception and his artistic intent. He reminds listeners that he is not a sanitized pop act but a complex artist whose music explores adult themes of drugs, sex, and the dark side of fame. The song is a confident, almost defiant, reassurance to his core fanbase and a declaration to the world that his success has not diluted his brand or his message.

The narrative of the song unfolds as a direct address from The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, to his audience, critics, and the music industry at large. He begins by asserting his place on the radio, dismissing the industry's search for a more palatable 'blue-eyed soul' artist. He emphasizes his authentic identity, referencing his 'black hair' and unapologetic lifestyle, which includes smoking weed and using explicit language. He establishes the dominance of his XO crew, stating that anything not associated with it is irrelevant.

A central point of irony and contention for him is winning an award from a 'kids show,' which he finds absurd given that the song in question, 'Can't Feel My Face,' is a thinly veiled reference to cocaine use. He explicitly rejects the 'Teen Choice' image, reinforcing his adult-oriented, edgier persona. This is followed by a series of braggadocious lines about his wealth and status, including a clever pun comparing his Lamborghini to 'Hannibal, Silence of the Lambo,' and a provocative line about a 'sweet Asian chick' who goes 'lo mein'—a double entendre for oral sex and a nod to the Asian dish.

The recurring chorus, 'You know me,' serves as a powerful, insistent hook. It's a declaration that despite his mainstream success and the changes people might perceive, his core identity remains unchanged. He vows that every time people try to forget who he is, he will be there to remind them. This isn't just a boast; it's a promise of consistency and a challenge to those who have miscategorized him.

In the second verse, he delves deeper into his motivations and observations. He claims his only goals are to make money and create 'dope shit.' He acknowledges his influence on the music scene, suggesting that other R&B artists are trying to imitate his older, darker style. He juxtaposes symbols of success, like platinum plaques from mixtapes and trophies, with the hedonistic reality of his life, mentioning codeine and nosebleeds. He paints a picture of a global superstar who makes millions per show but returns to his city to engage in his old ways. This verse contrasts his past struggles, like having a 'mattress on the floor,' with his current lavish lifestyle, creating a complex portrait of an artist grappling with his past and present self.

"Reminder" is a track from The Weeknd's third studio album, Starboy, which was released on November 25, 2016. The song was recorded in 2016 at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. It was written by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) alongside Dylan Wiggins, Jason 'DaHeala' Quenneville, and its producers: Doc McKinney, Mano, and Cirkut. The track was released to rhythmic contemporary radio on May 9, 2017, as the album's fifth single in the United States. The creation of "Reminder" was heavily influenced by The Weeknd's reaction to his newfound global fame and the criticism that he had become too commercial. An official remix featuring rappers A$AP Rocky and Young Thug was released on August 1, 2017. The star-studded music video, directed by Kid Studio, was released on The Weeknd's 27th birthday, February 16, 2017.

The rhythmic and rhyming structure of "Reminder" is integral to its cool, assertive feel. The song moves at a moderate, swaggering tempo, driven by a classic trap beat. The Weeknd's vocal delivery often floats over this beat, sometimes syncing perfectly and at other times creating a lazy, behind-the-beat feel that enhances the song's nonchalant attitude. The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal but relies heavily on couplets and internal rhymes within lines to create a fluid, continuous flow. For example, in the lines "All I wanna do is make that money and make dope shit / It just seem like niggas tryna sound like all my old shit," the end rhyme of 'shit' is supported by the internal assonance. The lyrical rhythm is conversational, mirroring modern hip-hop flows, which contrasts with the more traditionally sung, soaring melodies of the chorus, creating a dynamic interplay between verse and hook.

"Reminder" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that define its confident and laid-back tone.

• Musical Style: The song is built on a foundation of trap music, characterized by its deep, resonant 808 bass, crisp snare, and layered hi-hat patterns. The production is atmospheric and smooth, creating a backdrop that is both luxurious and slightly menacing.
• Vocal Delivery: The Weeknd employs his signature smooth, melodic vocal style, but with a conversational, almost rap-like cadence in the verses. This delivery exudes a sense of calm confidence and nonchalance, even as the lyrics are braggadocious and defiant.
• Literary Devices: The lyrics are filled with braggadocio, a staple of hip-hop where the artist boasts about their skills, wealth, and success. He uses irony when discussing his 'Teen Choice' award. The song is peppered with puns and wordplay, like the 'Hannibal/Lambo' and 'lo mein' lines, adding a layer of cleverness to his boasts. The entire song functions as a form of direct address to his audience and critics.

"Reminder" was a significant track from the critically and commercially successful album Starboy. While not the highest-charting single, it peaked at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. Its biggest cultural impact came from its music video. Released in February 2017, the video featured an astounding number of high-profile cameos from the hip-hop and R&B world, including Drake, A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, YG, Bryson Tiller, and Metro Boomin. This visual show of unity and respect from his peers solidified The Weeknd's status as a central and influential figure in contemporary music. The video received four nominations at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, including for Video of the Year. In 2023, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity after going viral on TikTok.

The lyrics of "Reminder" are rich with symbolism and clever wordplay that reinforce its themes of identity and success.

• 'Blue-eyed soul': This phrase is used to critique the music industry's preference for white artists performing R&B, with The Weeknd positioning himself as an authentic, non-commercial alternative.
• 'Kids show' Award: This is a direct reference to winning an award for "Can't Feel My Face," a song about cocaine, at a family-friendly awards show. It symbolizes the absurdity of his mainstream image and how his dark themes are often misunderstood or overlooked by the pop machine.
• 'Hannibal, Silence of the Lambo': A pun that combines the name of the cannibalistic character Hannibal Lecter with his Lamborghini. It serves as a metaphor for his aggressive, almost dangerous approach to his career and lifestyle.
• 'Sweet Asian chick, she go lo mein': This line is a controversial double entendre. On the surface, it's a boast about his romantic life, but the pun on 'lo mein' is a crude reference to oral sex, showcasing the explicit and unapologetic nature he wants to remind people of.
• Trophies and Codeine: The imagery of pouring codeine into his trophies is a powerful symbol of his hedonistic lifestyle clashing with his professional success. It suggests that the accolades of fame are just another vessel for his self-destructive tendencies.

The most significant recurring motif in "Reminder" is the chorus itself: "You know me... Every time you try to forget who I am, I'll be right there to remind you again." This phrase acts as the song's thesis statement, repeated to hammer home the central theme of unwavering identity. Its repetition serves as a powerful hook and a constant, confident assertion. The name-dropping of his own crew, "If it ain't XO, then it gotta go," is another recurring idea in his discography, reinforcing brand loyalty and his tight-knit circle. The blending of luxury and hedonism—juxtaposing Lamborghinis and trophies with drug references—is a consistent motif throughout the song and the Starboy album, painting a picture of a celebrity life steeped in excess.