Imagine witnessing a song performed live before it was even finished—a raw, unpolished gem unveiled to thousands. That’s exactly what happened with Timeless, the haunting trap collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a risky move or a stroke of genius? According to XO co-founder Amir “Cash” Esmailian, it all went down backstage at The Weeknd’s “One Night Only” concert in São Paulo. Abel Tesfaye, the mastermind behind The Weeknd, casually suggested, “Let’s perform the song we worked on today.” And just like that, a half-baked track became a high-stakes debut, watched by a packed stadium and a global livestream audience.
The move paid off spectacularly. “We knew we had to capitalize,” says Marleny Reyes of Republic Records. The internet erupted with anticipation for the studio version, proving once again that Abel Tesfaye is a master of organic buzz-building. And this is the part most people miss: While the song’s debut felt spontaneous, Timeless had been simmering for months. Producer Mike Dean revealed he’d received the rough track long before Abel’s vocals were added. “Backstage in São Paulo, the vibe was right,” Dean recalls, so he quickly polished it with piano chords, lead lines, and additional layers.
Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes tidbit: Dean didn’t even know the original beat was crafted by none other than Pharrell Williams until he asked Carti on the spot. “You can see me in the video, completely surprised,” he laughs. The track’s mesmerizing atmosphere was further elevated by Ojivolta and Twisco, who aimed for a globally resonant yet structurally unconventional song. Twisco, for instance, blended analog sources like SOMA’s Lyra-08 with granular resynthesis to create a unique soundscape.
For Dean, Timeless is a testament to years of seamless collaboration with Abel. “It’s pure flow now,” he says. Republic and XO then took the reins, nurturing the song’s growth long after its debut. “We’re always thinking beyond the first day, week, or month,” Reyes explains. The result? A track that’s thrived for over a year, proving that sometimes, taking a leap of faith pays off.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question: Was performing an unfinished song a bold artistic statement or a risky gamble? Let us know in the comments! Whether you see it as genius or chaos, one thing’s clear: Timeless is a masterpiece born from spontaneity and collaboration.
Credits:
Songwriters: Abel Tesfaye, Jordan Terrell Carter, Pharrell Williams, Mark Williams, Raul Cubina, Tariq “BL$$D” Sharrieff, Kobe “BbyKobe” Hood, Devon Chisolm (Lawson), Jarrod “Twisco” Morgan, Mike Dean
Producers: Mike Dean, Ojivolta, Twisco, Pharrell Williams
Hitmakers: Mike Dean (Producer), Ojivolta (Production Duo), Pharrell Williams (Producer), Amir “Cash” Esmailian (Manager, XO), Marleny Reyes (General Manager, Republic)
