Post Malone‘s recent performance at the 2023 CMA awards has caused quite a stir. Many people were shocked to see the rapper and singer-songwriter on stage at a country music event. However, it’s not that surprising that Post Malone would be drawn to the genre.
Post Malone, whose real name is Austin Richard Post, began his musical career playing guitar and singing in a heavy metal band. Malone made a quick and short lived transition into folk music, but has always maintained his roots as a singer-songwriter.
Malone is known for his eclectic taste in music and his ability to seamlessly blend different genres together, but more so known for his rise to fame in HipHop. Malone debuted on the scene in 2016 with his first studio rap album Stoney.
Since then, Post Malone has gone on to be one of the largest superstars in the enterainment industry. He is currently the 22nd most streamed artist on Spotify with 58million monthly listeners and multiple songs with several billion streams each.
Watch a young Post Malone cover Bob Dylan’s Dont Think Twice
Post Malone’s Country Collaborations and Influence
Post Malone’s entry into country music is not surprising given his beginnings in folk music. He grew up listening to country music and playing guitar. He sites his early influences as Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Post Malone said that country music has always been a part of his life. He said, “I grew up in Texas, so I’ve always had a love for country music. It’s just something that’s always been around me.”
I suspect his humble nature and likeability make it easier for him to be accepted in all walks of life. Malone has a deep appreciation and understanding for all musical genres. The man is a hip-hop megastar, but in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, he streamed a live concert of 15 Nirvana songs on YouTube.
He has shared his appreciation for multiple country artists by covering their songs, like Sturgill Simpson’s You Can Have the Crown or Brad Paisley’s I’m Gonna Miss Her. The man has teamed up and shared the stage with Dwight Yoakam, Billy Strings, Noah Kahan, and many others.
He stated on JRE, with Joe Rogan, that one of his favorite artists is the stoic Colter Wall. This man knows music, all music, and it certainly shows. His performance of Joe Diffe’s Pickup Man on the 2023 CMAs with Morgan Wallen and Hardy has brought his country chops into the limelight. People are asking and practically begging for a Post Malone Country album. Will there be?
Live Performance: CMA 2023 Pickup Man with Morgan Wallen and Hardy
Post Malone: Tiny Desk Concert by NPR Music
To further showcase Mr. Malone’s talent, let’s take a short trip back to August 2023 with NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Post Malone more than left his mark during the four-song set. The Tiny Desk Concert isn’t just about the music; it’s the perfect venue for artists to open up personality-wise. Malone has always come across as appreciative and humble. You can tell he’s somewhat uncomfortable as he performs unplugged acoustic versions of his top hits, notably without the use of auto-tune (as Post constantly jokes).
I bring up the Tiny Desk Concert because, as a roots music fan, I was absolutely blown away by this performance. It’s personally one of my favorite Tiny Desk Concerts I have ever seen. Malone presents himself as a storyteller in this setting, basically just a guy and his guitar. Granted, he has a phenomenally talented band doing some heavy lifting.
I don’t know who helped arrange these songs in their stripped-down version, but it’s nothing short of brilliance. The vocal harmonies, cellos, grand pianos, and violins create an emotional ambiance with Posty at the center. Sonically, lyrics aside, the tones are arranged almost in an Avett Brothers-like fashion. This concert is Post Malone like you’ve never seen. For this reason alone, if Malone decides to deliver us a country album, I’ll be first in line.
If you haven’t experienced Post Malone’s Tiny Desk Concert, check it out below. It’s one of 2023’s best.
Is there going to be a Post Malone Country Album?
Well, as of now, no. Post Malone has toyed with the idea publicly for many years, but as of now, he has no plans in the near future. Malone has been quoted in several interviews, and I’m paraphrasing, “If it feels like the time, and I’m having fun, then I’ll do it.” Malone is a busy man; he and his fiancée recently welcomed a new daughter in May 2022.
From an interview with Howard Stern, Malone is quoted as saying, “I split my time between a lot of different things because I am happily obligated to do concerts and show love to my fans … and then I’m happily obligated to write music and make beats by myself, and I’m happily obligated to, you know, take care of my family. So, it’s a lot of time, and it’s about finding that space to allot that time. If I get another year to myself, maybe I’ll make a fucking country album.”
In my opinion, Malone already surpasses the majority of Top 40 country artists in authenticity alone. The fact that he can play guitar and actually writes his own lyrics already puts him in the top 3/4 of the herd. So although we don’t have anything confirmed in the works yet, I remain hopeful for the day “White Iverson” hits us with some country music gold.
For Tour and Merch: Follow Post Malone
You may also be interested in Noah Kahan and Post Malone: Dial Drunk
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