The Weeknd to feature on Drake’s new album

Rapper Drake has confirmed that Toronto-based R&B singer Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd, will feature heavily on his upcoming album, Take Care.

"He’s one of the greatest artists I’ve ever heard, and he’s on my album a lot. We really collaborated a lot on this album," Drake told Billboard.

"Not only did he inspire me to get out there and sing better on stage, he inspired me writing-wise, music-wise, just to better my product," he continued. "To hear someone with an incredible body of work is very rare. It’s very inspiring… I’m proud of him. He works real hard. He’s just an incredible person, [and has] become a really close friend to me."

Take Care, Drake’s second studio album, is scheduled for release on the rapper’s 25th birthday on October 24. Along with The Weeknd, the album will also feature rap duo 8Ball & MJG, U.K. band U.K.’s Florence and the Machine, and even music legend Stevie Wonder.