The big deal being made out of this goes to show how well integrated into hiphop culture The Weeknd is, that some are holding him to the standard of a rapper despite being a pop singer

It 100% is some new exclusive if we take what Ak as saying as true. Blinding Lights being entirely written by Belly is definitely new news.

It isn't a big deal to me though because when you have THAT many cooks in the kitchen (as Weeknd does for an album these days) it's inevitable that someone is going to chef up records that Abel ends up using.

Tbh what do niggas think writing camps are for or about? Do we think writers and rappers collaborate and not share ideas, verses, hooks, etc.?

I also don't think it's a big deal because Weeknd has written for Belly too. It's not like he can't or doesn't write.

And Weeknd co-writes btw nigga ain’t no Rihanna or Bieber let’s not get it f***ed up

Yeah I mean he very clearly can bar up. That's why this isn't a big deal to me.

I'm going to semi humble brag here, but I've witnessed writing camps and s***. When you get to be as big as A Weeknd, or (Drake), Ak is right it's just not tenable to be Abel to continue to churn out GOOD songs, smashes, etc. with minimal assistance.

Plus, the bigger you are, the more people are willing to give you resources for your s*** for the look / placement. So Weeknd doesn't have to cook up 100% because producers, writers, etc. including Belly are constantly sending in stuff that makes the process much more tenable.

Fun discussion tbh when you realize what goes into songwriting

Yup everyone gets help, has writing camps etc. Even Hov has Jay Elec sitting with him while making 444

One of the easiest ways to get on is by sending rappers beats with hooks and verses on them.

That's how you get on like Starrah, Vory, etc. hell back in the day that's how Drake to a degree started making inroads in the industry.

These days everyone can make a 16, if need be. That ain't s***. But when you're talking about making 20 song albums every 2 years, plus features, or you're talking about making albums that the label is going to submit to the grammy committee, it's all hands on deck.

You'd be foolish to have 1da send you a beat w/PND on the hook, and you don't use it, or Future gives you a record in his stash that he's not using and you turn it down because you wanna write everything 100% yourself.

Yup u spitting

so belly wrote take care? joking

Yeah I feel like that Low Life feature was the start of the hip hop community starting to appreciate him. Along with all the hip hop/r&b songs he had on starboy, he really built a good connection with them there. Six feet under still goes crazy till this day

People were comparing his writings to Shakespeare after Echo's of Silence man.

I seent it. I know producers who have artists who's sole job is to work on the producer's beats so that when he sends them out, the hook and a verse is already on it to give the rapper / singer a guide. Common practice. If those were to leak, boom "omg he doesn't write" LMAO but that's not what that means.

Did niggas forget about those Weeknd demos that were floating through the industry before House of Ballons? Or Drake being in writing camps w/40 as early as 06?

References very clearly do not mean niggas can't write.

The easiest thing in the world to do is for a rapper to write a rap lol These days, the same is true for R&B acts. Making an actual song though, is not. Weeknd albums, Kanye albums, drake albums, have a lot more at stake.

No real time to try and cook up from scratch when 1da has sent over a beat with a hook from PND and Hush has given me a good starting line. From there, the record is completed in 10 minutes. See how much more efficient that process is lol?

Finding new melodies is hard, finding the pocket for a particular beat in a timely fashion can be hard, finding the starting line for a verse can be tough, especially if a turnaround time is involved. References and writers help with that.

his pen is fire

Niggas are way to defensive over having writers.

Barry Bonds still had to hit that ball. The steroids just help the s*** fly out the park easier.

He started the ovo sweatshop phrase? No way lol, he's literally his biggest fan and he's the reason drake gets so much hate for that. Anyway, I respect you for not being biased in this situation at least.

Yeah, he's a f***ing a******. He just talks a lot of s***. I don't rate him at all.

AK a full on drake stan and HE’S the one that started the OVO sweatshop s***???? No way LMAO. Makes sense drake clowns him.

Belly wrote Blinding Lights

Drake would never

Forgot about this. Thanks for the heads up

Yeah, he wasn't getting any attention from Drake back then so he'd do the most with trying to bash him.

What a cornball smh

Belly wrote TC

Imagine being one of beyonces writers. I would say that before I say my name

AK being a “Drake stan” was the greatest rebrand since MGK lol. That nigga was a flagrant hater back in the day.