I remember sitting in my high school's locker room after a brutal football practice — sore, drenched in sweat and half-listening to whatever music was playing. Then it happened. One of my teammates queued up a song I had never heard before: "White Iverson" by Post Malone.
There are only a few times in life when a song has stopped me in my tracks, when my whole body stops and listens. This was one of them. Something about his voice, the song's melody and the overall vibe sounded unlike anything else I had heard at the time. Ever since that moment, I’ve kept an eye on Malone.
I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan — I haven’t dissected every track or memorized all his lyrics — but I’ve always paid attention. Malone is one of those artists who commands interest with every new song he drops. Whether it’s his own single or a feature on someone else’s song, I’m always curious about what he’ll be doing next — and that curiosity paid off when I had the privilege of seeing him live.
When I watched Malone perform at State Farm Stadium on June 21, it was more than just a concert, it was a full-circle moment. There he was, a decade after his breakout, standing in front of thousands, sounding just like he did in my headphones all those years ago. His voice — raw, raspy and melodic — remains one of the most distinct in the industry. But what stood out to me even more was the crowd.
Malone was introduced to the world as a hip-hop artist, but he’s grown into something far bigger — a genreless, boundary-pushing artist that is authentically himself. His recent embracement of country influences isn’t a phase; it’s a natural evolution. Half the crowd looked like they were headed to a rodeo, and honestly, it fit. The entire night felt like a celebration of that fusion — hip-hop roots with acoustic soul, and swagger mixed with sincerity.
What makes Malone special isn’t just his versatility; it’s his spirit. There’s a friendliness about him that’s rare in artists at his level. He’s constantly smiling, showing love to fans, cracking jokes in interviews and never taking himself too seriously; in person, he radiates that same energy. I caught dozens of moments where he was connecting with the crowd, smiling ear-to-ear, raising a beer or locking eyes with someone in the pit. He gives the impression that he’s genuinely grateful to be there — and that’s powerful.
Breaking into the music industry is one thing, but staying relevant for a decade is something else entirely. Very few artists make it past that 10-year mark with their reputation and talent still intact. Not only has Malone succeeded in doing this, but he’s made it look effortless. And if his current trajectory is any indicator, he’s just getting started.
Malone may not be everyone’s No.1 artist, but he’s everyone’s somebody — and that alone is legendary.
Editor's note: The insights presented in this column are the author's and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Edited by Leah Mesquita, Matthew Marengo and Katrina Michalak.
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Anthony is a part of the Visuals Desk as a photographer.