Sweet Sixteen! Celebrating 16 Years of 31 Minutes To Takeoff! ✈️
Sixteen years ago today, on August 10, 2010, Mike Posner released 31 Minutes To Takeoff — his debut album that changed everything for us as fans. From blasting “Cooler Than Me” all summer to dancing to “Please Don’t Go” and getting lost in the smooth groove of “Bow Chicka Wow Wow,” these songs became part of our lives and memories. The album and its biggest hits have continued to prove just how enduring Mike’s debut has been.
31 Minutes To Takeoff debuted at No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 29,000 copies. On November 16, 2022, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA). Its singles have continued to reach new certification milestones, with “Cooler Than Me” now certified 6× Platinum, “Please Don’t Go” 3× Platinum and “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” Platinum by the RIAA.
What has always made this album special is how much of Mike’s own creative voice is woven into it. He wrote and produced every track, teaming up with an impressive list of collaborators including The Smeezingtons (Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine), Benny Blanco, Greg Kurstin, Cisco Adler, Teddy Riley and others. Even Boyz II Men lend their legendary vocals to “Déjà Vu,” which Mike co-wrote with Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman. “Gone In September” also features live drum work by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, adding another unexpected touch to the album’s diverse sound.
Mike once said he wanted to make music that didn’t sound like anything else out there — and 31 Minutes To Takeoff delivered. He envisioned it as a “21st Century album,” where listeners could hear something refreshing and different from one song to the next rather than settling into a single sound. The result is an eclectic mix of pop, R&B, dance, hip-hop and electronic influences that still feels distinctly Mike. From the high-energy hits “Cooler Than Me,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Cheated” to the smooth R&B groove of “Bow Chicka Wow Wow,” every track brings something different. There’s also the heartfelt depth of songs like “Save Your Goodbye,” where Mike used the framework of a love song to explore something much more personal.
There’s even a special detail hidden in the album’s title. Exactly 31 minutes into the record, during “Synthesizer,” listeners can hear the sound of an airplane taking off — the moment that gives 31 Minutes To Takeoff its name.
Sixteen years later, 31 Minutes To Takeoff remains a snapshot of a pivotal moment in Mike’s career — but its songs have continued to find new listeners while bringing longtime fans right back to where it all began. What started as Mike’s debut became the foundation for everything that followed, establishing a musical journey that continues to this day.
Today, we celebrate not only the music, but the journey that began with this album. For its Sweet Sixteen, relive the era with the official music videos for “Cooler Than Me,” “Please Don’t Go” and “Bow Chicka Wow Wow (feat. Lil Wayne),” plus behind-the-scenes footage from the “Cooler Than Me” and “Please Don’t Go” video shoots.