⏰ Sweet Sixteen! Celebrating 16 Years of ‘A Matter of Time’ ⏰
Sixteen years ago today—on February 28, 2009—Mike Posner released his breakout mixtape, A Matter of Time. Recorded at Duke University alongside Don Cannon and DJ Benzi, the mixtape featured collaborations with Big Sean, Eric Holljes, Donnis, and Jackie Chain. 💿✨
What made this release unique was its distribution through iTunes U, a platform originally designed for educational content. While other artists took advantage of this loophole, Mike’s release stood out as the most organized and high-profile, quickly reaching #1 on the iTunes U chart. The buzz surrounding A Matter of Time played a major role in securing Mike a record deal with J Records (RCA/Sony) in July 2009, following his junior year at Duke. 🎤🎼
Among the standout tracks on the mixtape are fan favorites like “Drug Dealer Girl,” which also received a music video, and “Cooler Than Me (feat. Big Sean).” Other highlights include “Smoke & Drive (feat. Big Sean, Donnis, and Jackie Chain)” and “Still Not Over You (feat. Eric Holljes),” which opens with a lyric reminiscent of The Fray’s “Over My Head (Cable Car)” but takes on its own unique narrative about first love, nostalgia, and the lingering pull of an old flame. The mixtape also features “Take Off Your Halo,” Mike’s creative take on Beyoncé’s hit “Halo.” 🎶
Instead of leaving school immediately, Mike made the bold decision to return to Duke, balancing classes while touring on weekends and recording his debut album. His dedication and hustle laid the foundation for the career that followed, proving that he was always willing to put in the work.
To this day, A Matter of Time remains a fan favorite, marking the beginning of an incredible journey. If you haven’t revisited it in a while—or if you’re discovering it for the first time—A Matter of Time is available to stream now on Spotify and Apple Music. 🎵