www.myspace.com/mikeposner
www.mikeposner.com
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elitaste.com’s Jamie Benson interviews elitaste’s newest client, Mike Posner!

Tell us a little bit about your musical background.
I’m from Southfield, MI (right outside Detroit). I started playing drums in 5th grade and making beats when I was 13. About a year ago I got tired of giving all my ideas away to other people as a producer and I started my solo project. I put out a mixtape about 6 weeks ago with DJ Benzi and Don Cannon. It’s super awesome and free on iTunes.

Who was the first person that was legitimately impressed by your music?
Big Sean. I played him Cooler Than Me in my Mom’s basement in Michigan and he reacted in a way that was very different from the way he’d reacted to the thousand beats I had sent him that year.

Do you do the majority of your production work in your dorm room? If so, is it difficult to balance your music and your schoolwork?
Fuck yea! Last week I was in NYC Monday, Duke for class on Tuesday and Wednesday, performed on Thursday and Friday in Detroit, performed Saturday at University of Dayton, and back to Duke Sunday. I then studied my ass off and did three finals on Tuesday. I’m doing this interview on my laptop in class right now. Don’t tell my professor, haha.

Are your fellow students at Duke University supportive of your music?
Most definitely. The kids here have watched me grow so much and have been super supportive from the beginning. My shows here are amazing, everyone rocks out with me. Not to mention, the kids and professors are understanding of my travel schedule and help me not fail!

Explain the idea behind “The Brain Trust.”
The name comes from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s cabinet during the Great Depression. My group is set up the same way. I go to people when I want their input, but I’m the president, haha.

How did you link up with folks like Big Sean, DJ Benzi, & Don Cannon?
I met Big Sean while I was interning at Hot 102.7 in Detroit during high school. I started producing for him then and we’ve since become really close friends. Sean ended up playing my stuff for DJ Benzi and when Benzi reached out and we had a chemistry. Asher Roth’s manager, Scooter Braun, introduced me to Don Cannon.

What was it like to receive such a warm reception upon the mixtape’s release?
I had excuse for all my friends who have been clowning me for never partying anymore! I was in the studio on my 21st birthday and they gave me so much shit for it. Now I have a little something to show for it.

I’ve seen those pesky commenters on your YouTube page compare you to Justin Timberlake, both positively and negatively. Do you think it’s a valid comparison?
I mean, don’t girls love JT? In all seriousness though, I think I have a lot to accomplish before anyone can compare me to him.

With that out of the way, your singing voice is incredibly unique which leads many to wonder – is it real?
HAHA. Come to a show! It’s definitely real.

What can we expect from your debut album, The New Deal?
You can expect it to pick up where my mixtape left off and be even more awesome, haha! Also, expect some amazing features.

How about a college tour? Is that in the works?
Definitely! Next semester I only have classes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so I’ll be out an about every weekend! Last weekend I just did Wayne State and University of Dayton. Both shows were insane!