The Weeknd has publicly showcased an escalating obsession with Atlus's Persona series, particularly Persona 5 Royal, leading to speculation about his potential involvement in the upcoming Persona 6 soundtrack. The artist's engagement with the game has extended beyond casual play, including extensive social media posts and even a reported visit to Atlus offices.
His fixation appears centered on Tae Takemi, the in-game doctor and romance option. The Weeknd has shared his experiences with the character's romance route and posted humorous content related to her, such as a mashup of his song "Popular" with "Butterfly Kiss," the track that plays in Takemi's clinic. He also shared what appears to be a Photoshopped image of himself with a large Tae Takemi tattoo on his arm, though its authenticity is questionable.
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The artist's immersion in the Persona universe was further highlighted by his visit to Atlus, where he reportedly played an early build of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and discussed Persona 6. This visit has intensified rumors that he might contribute to the music of the next installment in the long-running JRPG series.
Atlus typically maintains a distinct sonic identity for each Persona game, often by collaborating with a limited number of artists. This practice allows for immediate recognition of a game's soundtrack based on the vocalist. Given The Weeknd's current deep involvement and visit to the development studio, fans are debating the likelihood and potential style of his contribution to Persona 6, with some suggesting his vocals might not align with the series' traditionally grittier themes.