“Smile”: The Weeknd and Juice WRLD’s Poignant Posthumous Collaboration Unveiled
The music world collectively paused on August 7, 2020, as fans eagerly anticipated the release of a track that promised both comfort and a bittersweet reflection. Almost eight months after his tragic passing, the beloved rapper Juice WRLD’s voice graced the airwaves once more on “Smile,” a deeply resonant posthumous collaboration with the enigmatic artist The Weeknd. This much-anticipated release served as a powerful testament to Juice WRLD’s enduring artistry and the profound impact he left on countless listeners, bringing a wave of emotion to a fanbase still grappling with his loss.
The journey to “Smile” began subtly, yet definitively, with a cryptic post from The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) on Instagram on August 4. His simple message, “XO + 999 Thursday Night,” accompanied by a poignant picture of the late Juice WRLD (born Jarad Higgins), ignited a fervent buzz across social media. This unexpected announcement instantly confirmed long-whispered rumors of a collaboration between the two musical titans, sending anticipation soaring. When “Smile” finally arrived, it delivered precisely what fans had yearned for: an authentic, raw, and unmistakably Juice WRLD experience. His distinctive, one-of-a-kind voice immediately kicked off the track, an auditory embrace that felt like a reunion for those who had been missing his unique melodic style and profound lyrical depth.
The core message of “Smile” is elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful: both Juice WRLD and The Weeknd express a fervent desire for the person they are serenading to “smile.” This seemingly straightforward plea takes on layers of new meaning in the stark light of Juice WRLD’s untimely death. His verse, “I want you to prosper and come proper even if that means I ain’t by your side,” resonates with a familiar depth of vulnerability and introspection that defined his artistry. This raw honesty was a hallmark of Juice WRLD’s music, a quality that endeared him to millions and cemented his status as a household name. The lyrics offer a powerful, almost prophetic, sense of comfort and encouragement, urging resilience even in absence. The Weeknd’s contribution seamlessly weaves into this narrative, enhancing the track’s emotional complexity and underscoring its hopeful, yet melancholic, undertones.
The significance of The Weeknd’s “XO + 999” message extends beyond a mere collaboration announcement. “XO” proudly represents The Weeknd’s record label and artistic collective, a symbol of his musical identity and empire. Meanwhile, “999” was a deeply personal emblem for Juice WRLD, a numerical mantra he frequently used throughout his career, representing his philosophy of turning negative situations into positives. This powerful combination of symbols immediately sent fans on a digital scavenger hunt, scouring Twitter archives for any previous mentions of a potential partnership. Their efforts were quickly rewarded when they unearthed a tweet from Juice WRLD dating back to September 10, 2019. In it, the late rapper prophetically declared, “Me and The Weeknd would make a diamond record…” Almost a year later, The Weeknd retweeted this very post, adding a trio of prayer hands emojis. This gesture not only validated Juice WRLD’s vision but also underscored the mutual respect and admiration between the two artists, turning a hopeful tweet into a poignant reality and delighting fans who had long imagined such a musical fusion.
The release of “Smile” arrived at a time when both artists, in their respective capacities, had been experiencing monumental chart success. The Weeknd’s synth-pop anthem, “Blinding Lights,” had become a pervasive cultural phenomenon, a consistent staple on the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached the coveted No. 1 spot and maintained an unprecedented presence near the top of the charts for an extended period. The song’s retro-futuristic sound and compelling narrative further solidified The Weeknd’s position as a dominant force in contemporary music. On the other side of the spectrum, Juice WRLD’s posthumous album, Legends Never Die, made an indelible mark. It debuted at a staggering No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, moving an impressive 497,000 equivalent album units in its first week. This colossal success briefly dethroned The Weeknd’s own critically acclaimed album, After Hours, as the biggest release of 2020 in terms of opening week numbers, a record that was later surpassed by Taylor Swift a week after. More profoundly, Legends Never Die earned the distinction of being the most successful posthumous album release in the United States over the past two decades, as reported by NME, highlighting the immense outpouring of love and support from his devoted fanbase and the lasting power of his musical legacy.
XO + 999 Thursday Night
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) August 4, 2020
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/Bcmtzq9Tuk
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) August 5, 2020
The tragic loss of Juice WRLD on December 8, 2019, cast a long shadow over the music industry. He suffered a seizure shortly after his private jet arrived at Chicago’s Midway International Airport. The subsequent investigation and official report released at the start of the following year confirmed the cause of his death: the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the 21-year-old rapper died “as a result of oxycodone and codeine toxicity,” classifying the manner of death as an accident. Reports indicated that Juice WRLD had reportedly ingested “several unknown pills” when authorities searched his private jet, where they also discovered a significant amount of contraband, including 70 pounds of cannabis and three firearms. This tragic incident highlighted the pervasive issue of substance abuse within the music industry, particularly among young artists. Seven months after his passing, the release of Legends Never Die served as a poignant reflection of his personal struggles. On the album, he candidly rapped about his substance abuse, acknowledging how it was “killing me.” These lyrics, now heard posthumously, offer a chilling glimpse into the internal battles he faced, making his music not only a source of entertainment but also a deeply personal chronicle of his life and challenges.
Despite the unprecedented global challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, which significantly impacted the music industry, 2020 proved to be an exceptionally busy and creatively fertile year for The Weeknd. Beyond the immense commercial success of his album After Hours, the project garnered widespread critical acclaim for its cohesive narrative, atmospheric production, and bold artistic direction. Fans engaged deeply with the album, particularly speculating whether certain tracks referenced his past high-profile relationships with Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex sonic landscape. Demonstrating his surprising versatility and sense of humor, The Weeknd also made a memorable cameo appearance on the animated television series American Dad. During this unexpected role, he lent his voice to a character who sings about being a virgin, a humorous and self-aware contrast to the sexually charged and mysterious persona that his music typically embodies. In an interview with Variety, he expressed his long-standing admiration for the show, stating, “I’m a longtime fan of the show. I’ve been watching since high school but I really appreciated it about seven years ago. It’s been running for so long, and I feel like it has a real cult following. To really enjoy the show in its entirety you have to really know the characters.” This candid confession revealed a different, more relatable side to the international superstar.
Further illuminating his personality during the Variety discussion, The Weeknd shared an insightful personal detail that many might find surprising given his carefully curated public image. When asked about something not many people know about him, he revealed, “I’m very approachable and people don’t really know that about me. It might be surprising to some to learn how inquisitive I am and how much I love talking to people and going deep into conversation.” This glimpse into his private world offered fans a more nuanced understanding of the artist behind the persona, suggesting a thoughtful and engaging individual beneath the enigmatic exterior. This openness, coupled with his prolific output and diverse creative ventures, cemented 2020 as a pivotal year in The Weeknd’s evolving career, even as he honored the legacy of a fallen peer through their poignant collaboration.