Starboy was released in 2016 as the title track and lead single from The Weeknd's album of the same name, featuring French electronic duo Daft Punk. The song became a global hit, topping charts and shaping the singer's darker, more polished pop sound. Its short, instantly recognisable opening has since travelled far beyond the original track, appearing in social media edits, montages and meme videos. Creators keep returning to it because the beat alone signals confidence and style without needing any lyrics.
About this sound
A short Starboy sound effect from The Weeknd's hit song, featuring its dark pulsing beat, used in edits, memes and short videos for dramatic reveals.
This is a brief excerpt from Starboy, the sleek, late-night anthem by The Weeknd, built around a dark electronic pulse and a smooth, confident vocal delivery. In just over two seconds it delivers the track's signature mood: cool, polished and slightly dangerous, with a deep bass throb and shimmering synth that immediately signals a stylish entrance. It works because listeners recognise it almost instantly, even without the full song, and that recognition creates anticipation. Used at the start of a clip, it can turn an ordinary moment into something that feels deliberate, cinematic and ready for a reveal.
