Post Malone on going country and what's next: 'I make what makes me happy'
A crop of musicians has gone country recently, from Tate McRae's chart-topping collaboration with Morgan Wallen on "What I Want" to Beyoncé’s Grammy album of the year winner "Cowboy Carter."
But perhaps none has been more fully embraced by the genre's fans and surrounding industry than Post Malone. Already a musical chameleon – with No. 1 hits in hip-hop, pop and rock – Malone went all-in on country with his sixth album, "F-1 Trillion."
The 2024 release topped both the all-genre Billboard 200 and Top Country charts, earned him a Coachella headlining spot and sparked his most ambitious tour yet, the Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll.
"I want to make sure I do things with respect. I feel honored that everyone has been accepting and patient with me," Malone tells the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, in support of Sony's "For The Music" campaign.
Post Malone: Chart-topper and collaborator
Malone has a long history of working well with others. Eleven of the 14 songs he's landed on Billboard's Top 10 were collaborations, including "Rockstar" featuring 21 Savage in 2017, "Take What You Want" with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott in 2019, and "Fortnight" with Taylor Swift in 2024.
He's also partnered with brands including Bud Light, Crocs, Oreo and Doritos. In his campaign with Sony's For The Music, he's promoting products including noise-canceling headphones and wireless speakers, along with the idea that the combination of music, technology and creativity leads to a greater connection between fans and artists.
"I've always just tried to make music that's true to who I am — no matter," Malone says. "I make what makes me happy. So to be part of something that celebrates artists for doing their own thing and pushing boundaries, that feels really special."
What’s next for Post Malone?
Malone doesn't have plans to leave country music anytime soon. He revealed to Billboard in April he's already working on his seventh album and has made trips to Nashville to record.
Acclaimed country guitarist Derek Wells, who has worked with Malone while recording and playing live, has high praise for Malone and teases what to expect on the upcoming project.
"Performing country music is an entirely different discipline and requires an entirely different vocal delivery from working in pop," Wells says. "Moving away from having his voice saturated with vocal effects and treatments has him really working, especially onstage, to deliver a quality show every night.
"There's also more fiddle, pedal steel, guitar solos. Where we started as two feet over the line into traditional country on 'F-1 Trillion' has turned into head, chest, shoulders and feet across the line on where we're headed with the next batch of songs."
Contributing: Marcus Dowling, The Tennessean