Post Malone Releases Country Album “F-1 Trillion”

Country music’s remarkable year continues with the release of Post Malone’s highly anticipated crossover album “F-1 Trillion,” featuring some of Nashville’s brightest stars.

Post’s project underscores the increasing cultural influence of country music. The genre has become a dominant force in streaming and ticket sales, with significant contributions from top music industry stars, including Beyoncé, who have been pushing the genre’s boundaries.

Nashville served as Post Malone’s home away from home during the making and promotion of “F-1 Trillion.” He performed at iconic spots like the Bluebird Cafe, Marathon Music Works, and even showcased his talent on the streets of Lower Broadway.

Earlier this week, Post Malone made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, sharing the stage with Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, and Brad Paisley. Lainey Wilson warmly welcomed him, declaring, “Welcome to country music, Post Malone. We’re glad to have you!”

“Everyone here was so accepting and kind,” Post expressed about his new collaborators in an interview on CBS’ “Sunday Morning.”

The “F-1 Trillion” album liner notes feature legendary names from Music Row, including Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., Tim McGraw, and Luke Combs. “I just wanted to be a part of it,” Combs told CBS, emphasizing the significance of this time for country music. The album’s lead single, “I Had Some Help,” a duet with Morgan Wallen, topped the Hot 100 charts for weeks.

While Beyoncé’s country-inspired “Cowboy Carter” challenged genre barriers and blended various sounds and styles, Post Malone’s work more closely resembles a contemporary country record. However, it also exemplifies the ongoing relationship between country music and rap/hip-hop.

Producer Charlie Handsome, who has collaborated with artists like Wallen, Sam Hunt, Drake, and The Weeknd, is credited on every track of “F-1 Trillion.”

Post Malone’s interest in country music is no surprise to his loyal fans. Hailing from Texas, he gained early recognition with an acoustic Bob Dylan cover he posted on YouTube long before climbing the charts. In an emphatic tweet from 2015, he even vowed to become a country artist when he turned 30. Notably, Post’s 30th birthday is next July.

Handsome mentioned to the Times that Post “knows every country song,” likening him to a reverse Taylor Swift: “He’s going to start as a rapper, become a huge pop star, and after all that, he’s going to be a country artist.”

In an interview with the Times, Post echoed a sentiment similar to Beyoncé’s, stating, “Genres suck. It’s easier to catalog music that way. But at a certain point — and the cool thing is that it’s moving towards this — why can’t you mix all this together and make something that’s truly unique to you?”

Source: CBS, New York Times