Words by Christopher Kevin Au // Images by Christopher Loutfy

Chatting to Post Malone feels like bumping into an old friend. He’s down-to-earth, cracking jokes whenever he can squeeze them in, and seems geniunely humbled by the level of success he’s achieved at just 21 years of age.

When his breakthrough single ‘White Iverson’ dropped in early 2015, Post Malone became an unlikely hip-hop superstar who achieved viral status with his soulful crooning and spacey Southern production. Further toying with country and pop music made Post even harder to categorise, while collaborations with everyone from Justin Bieber to 50 Cent to Gucci Mane followed, as well as debut album Stoney.

Two years later, Post Malone is embarking on his first Australian tour, performing shows alongside Diplo as well as his own intimate headline shows. We caught up with Post right before he played to a sold out audience in Sydney, and chatted about his love for beerbongs, Bentleys and Lloyd Banks. See it below, and see our comic strip review of Post’s show here:

How has the tour been so far? You’ve played a few shows with Diplo, and now you have your biggest one tonight.

This is my show tonight, right? Okay, cool. I’m having a difficult time keeping track of my life. The Diplo tour has been crazy and I’m really excited to do my own show here, too. It’s my first show in the outback and I’m ready to get weird Down Under. Let’s get crazy, boy. Let’s go.

How have you been approaching the Diplo shows, especially given that some of your material is a lot more down tempo than Diplo’s set?

I have 30 minutes, so first I play some nice turn-up stuff and then I play my biggest songs. We did Adelaide and not a lot of people knew who I was out there, but it was still good, we still turnt up.

How does it feel seeing Australians who know all the words to your songs?

It’s crazy. It’s outrageous. It’s a long way for it to travel – 15 hours by plane – and my lyrics got all the way out here, it’s super tight.

How was the plane ride?

Shitty. It’s okay, I slept the whole time.

Your single ‘White Iverson’ was produced by FKi, who also worked a lot with Iggy Azalea in the past. Are there any other Australian artists you’re vibing?

Nina Las Vegas is cool, that’s more dance stuff but it’s super dope. Other than that, not really! Shout out to Perto, a producer I met out here, he’s 15 and going crazy. He was at the show, and he said “Hey, can you give this to Wes.” It was a flash drive, shout out to little Perto. I’m not very into Australian culture yet, I need to be put onto some dope stuff.

You’ve faced some genre controversies in the past. Do you think that hip-hop heads are too traditional in their approach to music?

I think we’re making good strides in the genreless movement. Hip-hop itself is so rebellious that you shouldn’t be able to lock it in, you should be able to experiment and make it yourself. That’s what it’s about. I think we’re making big strides, and pretty soon it’s all just going to be music.

As somebody who’s a fan of both hip-hop and country, do you enjoy ‘Over & Over’ by Nelly & Tim McGraw?

It’s a great song! Nelly told me that the track wasn’t really done, they just pieced it together and it turned out to be a hit.

You gained a lot of attention when you played Kylie Jenner’s birthday. I heard you met Chuck Liddell there. What do you do when you come face to face with Chuck Liddell?

Oh, man. You know he could reach into you and pull your soul straight out of your body. He’s super dope, a sweetheart, lovely. But he could really rip your arms off and beat you to death with it.

What did you guys talk about?

Stuff. Just Chuck Liddell stuff.

Why was he at Kylie Jenner’s birthday?

He was just chilling, taking it easy. I seen him at another party, and he took a picture with me which was super dope, so I guess he likes the music.

Another artist who performed at Kylie’s birthday was Fetty Wap. You played another show with him last year in New York, where you brought out 50 Cent. How did it feel collaborating with 50 and bringing him out in his hometown?

That was incredible, I don’t think it could have gone any better. I love 50, he’s a role model and I think he’s super dope that he would show love and rap with me for a little. Not just 50, but all of G-Unit are dope… It started out with my ‘Window Shopper’ remix, and then he was like “Let’s do a real song.” That was it, he came out in New York, we stayed in touch, we shot the video and it’s all good. I hope make another song with him soon.

You should do a track with Lloyd Banks, too!

That would be sick! Hell yeah.

Another legend you’ve collaborated with is Gucci Mane. How did that get sorted, because I believe he was incarcerated at the time?

They sent me the song, and said “Hey, do you want to get on this?” And I was like, “Hell yeah, there’s no way I’m not gonna do a song with Gucci Mane.” I think it was his manager, because it’s tough being in jail and all that. We made it happen. I’d love to make another song with Gucci, too.

The new, leaner Gucci.

Hell yeah! The fit Gucci.

You’re also amping up a new project, ‘Beerbongs & Bentleys.’ That might be the best album name of all time. Is the inspiration for the name literal?

Yeah! I was like, “This is my life right now, so we’re gonna call it Beerbongs & Bentleys.” Being young, I’m 21, I came into some money and a lot of unexpected stardom, but you can’t let none of that stuff really change who you are. It’s there, but you’ve got to stay true to your roots. I’m a beer drinker and a chill type of guy, so I wanted to get the best of both worlds. I wanted to stunt a little bit, but say “Hey, I’m just a guy.”

What’s on the cards for Post Malone for the rest of 2017?

Finish working on this album, put it out, work on a new album, go on tour, do some festivals, turn up, enjoy life, keep on putting out music, keep on rockin’ and getting weird with the fans. Hangin’ out.

And a Lloyd Banks collaboration?

Lloyd Banks, 50 and Gucci Mane at the same time!