If a mixtape hosted by former Aphilliates DJ Don Cannon is the zenith of cosigns, then when the man who has made songs for artists like Outkast, Ludacris and 50 Cent anoints someone as “the illest new song writer, the illest new producer,” you take heed.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mike Posner, a 20-year-old Duke undergrad who has, with the help of his group The Brain Trust, put together one of the most innovative mixtapes in recent history, A Matter of Time, hosted by Don Cannon and DJ Benzi.
As the masterful blends of pop and hip-hop infuse each track, Posner’s own brand of production, that includes a surprisingly nimble flip of The Fray, melds with the live band to create a distinct flavor that fills a void that has previously never existed.
Yes, I said it. Though it may seem outlandish, when you hear Posner and the Brain Trust, the sound fits into hip-hop where there has never before been a place for it.
It may be the wispy husk of a delivery utilized to convey his tales of female trysts, his ability to put hooks on traditional hip-hop songs better than T-Pain or surprisingly effective Auto-Tune usage on “Losing My Mind,” but Posner is an element that has eluded urban music as a whole yet has found a niche through the internet.
While he can make something unique, Posner can also appeal to more radio-friendly audiences. His work with G.O.O.D. artist Big Sean was what circulated his name to begin with and his continuing work with Sean, including “Who Knows?” and a remix to “Smoke & Drive” featuring Jackie Chain and Donnis, doesn’t disappoint; it excites.
As much as Posner and the Brain Trust deserve it, their brand of pop/hip-hop may never catch on with hip-hop faithful. Posner, however, has proven his production chops and a prodigious career will await him if he so chooses to pursue it.
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