Mansionz is an American alternative hip hop duo composed of musicians Mike Posner and blackbear. They released their self-titled debut album on March 24, 2017. The duo’s second album, Mansionz 2, was released on October 31, 2023.

CAREER

2016–PRESENT: BEGINNINGS AND ALBUMS

Mansionz was formed by longtime collaborators Matthew “blackbear” Musto and Mike Posner in late 2016. The two had previously worked together on writing songs such as Big Time Rush’s 2011 single “Windows Down” and Justin Bieber’s 2012 single “Boyfriend.” On December 9, 2016, Musto and Posner released their debut single under the recording outfit Mansionz: “STFU,” featuring rapper Spark Master Tape.

To promote the release of their collaborative album, Mansionz released two YouTube videos, “intro to mansionz part 1” and “intro to mansionz part 2,” on January 16, 2017, and January 25, 2017, respectively. Both videos were shot by Spark Master Tape. In addition, Mansionz released two additional singles: “Rich White Girls” and “Dennis Rodman,” which were released on February 3, 2017 and March 17, 2017, respectively. Musto and Posner promoted the album on the red carpet of the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, where they both sported lime-green hair, a signature look and a major aspect of their album’s promotion.

Mansionz, the self-titled debut album from the duo, was released on March 24, 2017, and featured appearances from Soren Bryce, G-Eazy, CyHi The Prynce, and Snoozegod, as well as Spark Master Tape and Dennis Rodman.

On March 29, 2017, Mansionz released an official music video for their single “Rich White Girls,” starring Amanda Crew and Meredith Hagner as the title characters. It was followed by a music video for “Dennis Rodman,” which arrived on May 19, 2017. In June 2017, Posner made a surprise appearance at a Blackbear concert in Detroit on the latter’s Digital DrugTour, making it the first official Mansionz concert. The duo performed several songs, including “Dennis Rodman” and “STFU,” and teased further collaborative releases on Twitter. On August 11, 2017, “Wicked” was announced to be the fourth single from Mansionz. A radio edit of “Wicked” was released, as well as remixes of the track by Loote and Rat City. On October 19, 2018, the duo performed three songs officially as Mansionz at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. They performed “My Beloved,” “Dennis Rodman,” and “STFU.” There, the duo teased a second album.

The enigmatic duo released their highly anticipated second album, Mansionz 2, on October 31, 2023. This album is a testament to their unique musical chemistry and the profound connection they share. As Mike Posner describes it in a recent blog post, Mansionz is “a strange, cosmic energy” that transcends their individual identities.

The duo’s creative process is unconventional, to say the least. Rather than controlling the direction of their music, they allow Mansionz itself to guide them. Posner explains that Mansionz is “a living thing” that directs him and blackbear, often pushing them to explore unconventional and vulnerable territories. This approach has led to a deep and transformative experience, one that Posner describes as a “practice in ego death.”

Mansionz 2 is a reflection of this raw and authentic journey. Posner admits that the album is so personal and intense that he struggles to listen to it himself. He hopes, however, that listeners can connect with the album on a deep level and access their own hidden emotions.

The album’s sonic landscape is as diverse as its thematic content. In the first half of the album, Mansionz explores themes of confidence, recklessness, and partying, accompanied by an aggressive and in-your-face sound. Drawing inspiration from genres like punk and heavy metal, songs like “Optionz,” “FYSU,” “Bloodbath,” and “Annihilate / Third Eye” offer a glimpse into the energetic and party-oriented side of Mansionz.

While these tracks undoubtedly showcase the duo’s ability to create high-energy music, it’s the introspective and honest moments that truly make Mansionz 2 stand out. The album’s latter half delves into deeper themes, such as vulnerability, personal struggles, and the complexities of the human experience. Songs like “Mt. Everest,” “Stay Alive,” “Journey of One / omw,” and “My Invincible Smile” showcase the duo’s ability to connect with listeners on a profound emotional level.

Mansionz 2 is a testament to the duo’s artistic growth and their willingness to explore diverse musical styles and themes. While the album’s opening tracks may appeal to those seeking a high-energy and party-oriented sound, it’s the introspective and honest moments that truly make it stand out. By delving into personal struggles and offering a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience, Mansionz has created a powerful and thought-provoking album.

SOURCE: Wikipedia.org