Mike Posner
BRM has done it again. We've hunted down, captured and documented the most innovative and exciting artists to recently emerge on a number of different scenes. All month long we’ll be running interviews with our discoveries to help get you ready for what’s to come in 2010. But to get a complete look at our full list of emerging artists, check out our current winter issue.
Coming from the Great Midwest, it was a question if anyone would recognize Mike Posner's talents. That question was quickly answered as J Records sought and signed him. He can produce, rap, spit and harmonize on melodies. "People are going to respect me as a producer, musician and songwriter," he proclaims. His single "Drug Dealer Girl" has garnered national attention, and he has since written "Bring Me Down," the Duke basketball team’s new theme record. Delivering his songs with a raspy voice, Posner offers a new sound as we enter the new decade.
BRM: What's up Mike, what part of this Nation does Mike Posner come from?
Mike Posner: I'm from the Southfield, MI.
I read when you were recording this album you were still in school. What is a normal day for you like?
Depends on what day it is! I signed my deal in July after my junior [year] at Duke University and I chose to return to school for my senior year. So weekdays I go to school all day, record all night. Weekends I fly across the country and rock shows. I do my homework on the planes. I don't really have time to hang out. School and music, that's it.
Over the past year you have been gaining more and more momentum, what do you credit for that?
My amazing fans! I put my music out for free on iTunes and my movement has been extremely grass roots and driven by word of mouth. People tend to tell their friends about my music once they hear it.
How did this slim kid pull off a deal with J Records? How did that come about?
As I was finishing my junior year at Duke, I was taking meetings with several record labels. I was blessed to be in a position to choose which label I wanted to be with, it's not like that for most artists, and I chose the best one! J is an amazing place to be at, whatever bad things you hear about labels don't exist there. Good music is the first priority.
FelliFel gave you a great shout out and XXL hit you up for Show and Prove, considering you are from a small market, how are you being taken by your industry peers?
I'm not a rapper, I sing, so I feel blessed to be received so well in the hip-hop community. They've kind of taken me in with open arms since the beginning of my career as an artist. I'm extremely humbled.
How did you come up with the concept for “Drug Dealer Girl”?
I was at my Mom's in Michigan and taking a shower. I saw a bottle that said "Maybelline" and I thought of the first like "You may never be on a Maybelline commercial." I finished the shower as fast as I could and the song was done before I knew it.
J Records is known for having a stranglehold on the female musician, what is going to be your key to making a name at the home of Clive?
Good music and hit records. I got a few of those on my laptop right now, so I'm not too worried.
You've been considered one of the Top 50 Artists to Blow in 2010, what do you have planned in 2010 that people should be on the lookout for?
Let's just say I have a very significant album in the works. You'll see.
Can you drop a line or word of advice for our young readers about the key of education?
If I can maintain a 3.6 at Duke while touring the country, finishing a new mixtape, and working on my album, then you have no excuse for getting bad grades. (laughs) At least that's what I'm going to tell my kids!
Words by Rikers
Photo by Robert Adam Mayer
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