Austin Post aka Post Malone burst onto the pop music scene with a little Soundcloud single titled “White Iverson” that shook up the music world. Here’s a kid from the Dallas-Fort Worth with braids, a grill, bars, and a background in country guitar that blew up out of nowhere via the universal mixtape haven that hosts mostly bad bedroom rap. From there to songs with Justin Bieber and a sold out crowd at Stubb’s in his native Texas. It’s a good time to be Post Malone.
Malone flies the Texas flag high. His introduction to his waiting fans, at least those who made it in on time due to the massive lines outside the venue, was the Stone Cold Steve Austin theme song complete with the rattlesnake and Texas flags in the background images. It’s an inspirational story, not only for aspiring rappers, but for every kid in Texas.
But Malone can back it up on stage. His secret, the key to his success, is that musical background. Malone has something that most of these aspiring rap superstars lack: songwriting ability and a massive voice. He showcased this during an acoustic section of his set, featuring the closer of his first album Stoney, “Feeling Whitney,” and a cover of Nirvana’s “All Apologies.” His vocal perfection brought to mind Nirvana’s own classic MTV Unplugged set. One longs for more showcases of this talent on his next record.
Malone’s set was just over an hour and covered most of his massive hits, including newer songs “Rockstar” and “Candy Paint,” which is featured on the newest Fast and Furious soundtrack. Almost every song turned into a singalong with the entire audience, but closers “White Iverson” and “Congratulations” especially inspired everyone to bring their A game.
Malone is just getting started. Though once pegged as a one hit wonder, even by himself, his ability to pen a catchy tune has transformed his career. By this time next year, he’ll very likely have a second album, which promises to feature even more of his burgeoning, multifaceted talent, and he’ll probably be unable to play a venue the size of Stubb’s. The lucky few who caught him there got a taste of the huge things to come because Malone is a bonafide superstar in the making.
