Basquiat’s Balloons Drift from Downtown Sketchbooks to The Weeknd’s Vinyl Dreams
A teenage Jean-Michel Basquiat once scrawled a city scene—figures gathered under the words “Working Class Heroes,” one floating away with a balloon and a sigh of “Ho-Hum.” Decades later, this drawing, titled Upon Leaving the ‘Norm’, lands on the collector’s edition cover of The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow, weaving Basquiat’s restless spirit into the world of pop music.
The balloon motif isn’t just a visual echo; it subtly nods to The Weeknd’s own House of Balloons era, linking his rise to Basquiat’s vision of escape and everyday struggle. This isn’t the first time Basquiat’s art has crossed into music—his covers have graced punk, hip-hop, and indie albums, often becoming prized artifacts. From Sotheby’s auctions to streetwear collaborations, Basquiat’s legacy keeps finding new canvases.
In the end, his art floats between worlds—never quite settling, always inviting another look.
#Basquiat #TheWeeknd #AlbumArt #Culture
