Label Execs Originally Wanted The Weeknd To Push Back Release of ‘After Hours’ Album Due To Coronavirus Pandemic; Album is Now at Biggest Debut of 2020 at 445,0000 Units in First Week

By Yuriy Andriyashchuk
Hip-HopVibe.com Staff Writer

During these crazy times in the world with the coronavirus pandemic and people being encouraged to stay home, music is what can really comfort us. Due to what’s been happening, Lady Gaga delayed her ‘Chromatica‘ album which was set for an April 10 release date. Kehlani also said she had a date in mind for her new album but decided to delay it due to the virus.

The Weeknd announced his fourth studio album, ‘After Hours,’ last month as a March 20 release date was set. Many wondered if he’d push the release back due to this pandemic. The Weeknd is signed to Republic Records and according to TMZ, execs advised him to go forward with delaying its release.

These execs believed that the sales for After Hours wouldn’t be good due to lack of promotional moves such as TV appearances. Prior to the pandemic though, The Weeknd did actually appear on Saturday Night Live and performed the singles “Heartless” and “Blinding Lights.” He did plenty of promotion on social media and according to Chart Data,(Via HitsDailyDouble) the album has debuted as No. 1 in the country with 445,000 units in its first week. After Hours also becomes the biggest debut of 2020. In its first week, it also accumulated over 1 billion streams