If you were lurking on the internet around 2015, you probably remember a skinny kid with gold braids and a pair of Saucony sneakers singing about professional basketball players. That was Austin Richard Post. Most people thought he’d be gone by Christmas. A "one-hit wonder" tag was practically stapled to his forehead the second "White Iverson" started racking up millions of plays on SoundCloud. Looking at Post Malone then and now, the transformation isn't just about the face tattoos or the move to Utah; it’s about a complete dismantling of how we define a "pop star" in the modern age.
He didn't just stay. He took over.
From the Bedroom to the Billboard Charts
Austin Post grew up in Grapevine, Texas. His dad ran food and beverage for the Dallas Cowboys, which honestly explains a lot about his work ethic and his love for a good Bud Light. He wasn't some industry plant. He was a guy who loved Guitar Hero so much he decided to learn the real thing. He was in a metalcore band. He did acoustic covers on YouTube. Then, he moved to LA, slept on a floor in a house full of YouTubers, and recorded a song that changed everything.
The early days of Post Malone were chaotic. He was "the guy with the braids." Critics were brutal. They called him a "culture vulture." They said he was cosplaying in hip-hop. But if you listen back to Stoney, the DNA of what he’s doing now in country music was already there. You can hear it in "Go Flex." You can hear it in "I Fall Apart." He was always a folk singer trapped in a trap beat’s body.
The Face Tattoo Era
Let’s talk about the ink. Because you can’t track Post Malone then and now without mentioning the "Stay Away" over his eyebrow or the "Always Tired" under his eyes.
Austin has been pretty open about why he started getting them. He’s admitted in interviews—like that famous one with GQ—that the tattoos were partially a defense mechanism. He didn't think he was a good-looking guy, so he decided to put something "cool" there to distract from it. It’s a relatable, albeit permanent, bit of self-deprecation. These days, the tattoos are his brand. He’s a walking sketchbook.
The Sound Shift: Why 2024 Changed Everything
For a long time, Posty lived in this hazy, melodic rap space. Beerbongs & Bentleys and Hollywood’s Bleeding were absolute monsters on the charts. He broke streaming records previously held by The Beatles. Think about that for a second. A guy who started on SoundCloud was out-pacing the Fab Four.
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But something shifted around the time of Twelve Carat Toothache. He sounded tired. Not "Always Tired" tattoo tired, but soul-weary. He was open about his struggles with alcohol and the pressures of being a global commodity.
Then came the pivot to Nashville.
His latest era is arguably his most authentic. When he released F-1 Trillion in 2024, it wasn't a rapper trying to "go country" for sales. It was a guy who finally had the clout to make the music he actually listened to in his truck. Working with legends like Dolly Parton, Morgan Wallen, and Blake Shelton wasn't a gimmick. It was a homecoming.
Breaking the Genre Barrier
What most people get wrong about Posty is thinking he "left" hip-hop. He didn't leave it; he just absorbed it. He treats genres like folders on a desktop. He can drag and drop himself into a Taylor Swift song ("Fortnight"), a Beyoncé track ("Levii's Jeans"), or a solo country ballad without it feeling forced.
He’s a chameleon.
But he’s a chameleon that doesn't change color to hide; he changes color to stand out.
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Living in Utah and the Great Reset
If you want to understand the "now" part of Post Malone then and now, you have to look at his house in Utah. He left the Hollywood lifestyle behind years ago. He bought a massive compound in the mountains. He’s got enough food and "survival supplies" to last an apocalypse, which he talks about with a mix of genuine concern and a "wouldn't that be wild" grin.
He’s a dad now.
Becoming a father changed his perspective on everything. In his 2023 interview with The Zane Lowe Show, he talked about how his daughter is the biggest reason he’s taking better care of himself. He’s lost weight. He’s drinking less (mostly). He seems... happy? Which is a weird thing to say about a guy whose biggest hits are usually about heartbreak and paranoia.
The Nuance of the "Then and Now" Comparison
When you look at the 2015 version of Austin Post versus the 2026 version, the differences are stark:
- Then: Braids, jerseys, trying to prove he belonged in the room.
- Now: Cowboy hats, custom suits, knowing he is the room.
- Then: Heavy reverb, trap drums, SoundCloud vibes.
- Now: Steel guitars, live instrumentation, vulnerable lyrics.
- Then: Living for the party.
- Now: Living for his family and his land.
Why He’s Still the Biggest Artist in the World
It’s the relatability.
Despite the millions of dollars and the private jets, Post Malone still feels like the guy who would offer you a cigarette and a beer at a dive bar. He’s famously polite. There are hundreds of stories from fans and waitstaff about how he’s the "nicest guy in music." He’s the anti-diva.
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He also isn't afraid to fail. When he did that Nirvana tribute stream during the pandemic, he could have looked like a total poser. Instead, he crushed it. He showed he could actually play the guitar. He showed he understood the soul of the music, not just the aesthetic.
The E-E-A-T Factor: Real Musicality
Musicians like Andrew Watt (producer for everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to Posty) have gone on record saying Austin’s musical ear is insane. He isn't just a "vibe" guy. He understands arrangement. He understands melody in a way that’s almost mathematical. This expertise is why he’s able to jump from a pop smash like "Circles"—which stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 39 weeks—to a country duet.
He’s earned his seat at the table through sheer volume of work and a refusal to be put in a box.
What We Can Learn from the Post Malone Journey
Austin's career is a blueprint for the modern creative. He didn't wait for a label to tell him what he was. He made "White Iverson" and let the world catch up.
If you’re looking at your own career or creative path, take a page out of his book. Don't worry about "staying in your lane." If the lane is too narrow, build a bigger road. He proved that you can change your entire identity—stylistically, physically, and geographically—and your core audience will stay with you as long as you’re being honest with them.
The "Post Malone" brand isn't a sound. It’s a feeling. It’s that weird mix of sadness, celebration, and "everything is going to be fine."
Actionable Insights for the Post Malone Fan
If you want to truly appreciate the evolution of Posty, don't just stick to the radio hits.
- Listen to the deep cuts on Stoney: Go back and find "Up There" or "Feeling Whitney." It’s the bridge between his early rap days and his current country-folk obsession.
- Watch the 2020 Nirvana Tribute: If you still think he’s "just a rapper," this 75-minute set will completely change your mind about his vocal range and guitar skills.
- Check out his collaborations chronologically: Follow his path from 21 Savage to Taylor Swift to Chris Stapleton. It’s a masterclass in artistic networking and genre-bending.
- Follow his recent live performances: His 2024 and 2025 sets are much more focused on live instruments than his earlier shows, which were mostly him singing over a backing track.
The story of Post Malone then and now isn't finished. Given his track record, he’ll probably be making a jazz-fusion album or a heavy metal record by 2028. And the wild part? We’ll probably all be listening to it.