Happy 6th Anniversary, A Real Good Kid!

Today marks six years since Mike Posner released his third studio album, A Real Good Kid (January 18, 2019). Featuring 12 tracks, including the singles “Song About You,” “Stuck in the Middle,” and “Move On,” the album is a deeply personal and transformative project. Mike collaborated with a talented team of songwriters and producers, including Ricky Reed, Dan Wilson, James Bowen, Jean Marc Belkadi, Nate Mercereau, Adam Friedman, James Valentine, Ryan Merchant, and Pete Kuzma, to bring this work to life.

About the Album

A Real Good Kid was announced by Mike Posner on November 21, 2018, and released through Island Records. The album was recorded over two years and serves as a reflection of profound experiences in Mike’s life. Supporting the release, Mike embarked on a remarkable journey, walking across the United States from April 15 to October 18, 2019, traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

During the recording process, Mike navigated immense personal challenges: the end of a relationship, moving back to Detroit to care for his terminally ill father, who passed away from brain cancer, and coping with the tragic loss of his friend Avicii. In his words:

“I had to go to the studio every day and I was trying to just show up and record all the songs and do a good job, and I was sad.”

Mike Posner

Mike describes the album as one that “deals heavily with love, loss, and eventual acceptance.” The project even includes recordings of his late father, adding an intimate layer to the music.

Reflecting on the album’s themes, Mike shared:

“This album is about pain, loss, and the joy that comes with it. It’s about getting a call that my father has a tumor the size of a tangerine in his forehead. It’s about selling my house in L.A. to move into the house I grew up in to help him die. It’s about falling in love after his death. It’s about having that relationship fall apart and not really knowing why. It’s about somehow finding peace through it all.”

Mike Posner

Mike Posner’s Growth

A Real Good Kid showcases a significant evolution in Mike’s artistry. While his 2010 debut leaned into breezy pop-rap, this album reflects a matured perspective shaped by life’s hardships. The song “January 11th, 2017” opens the album with raw vulnerability, describing the day Mike’s father passed away. Its lyrics, including the striking line, “January in Detroit is cold as f*ck,” capture the mundane details and profound emotions of loss.

The album also highlights Mike’s artistic exploration, from the bluesy undertones and spoken-word poetry of “Drip” to the cathartic energy of “Move On,” which opens with the clever one-liner, “I wish Tracy Chapman was my friend.”

The Singles

“Song About You” – Released September 10, 2018, this lead single introduced fans to the raw emotion and introspection that defines the album.
“Stuck in the Middle” – The second single, released November 22, 2018, captures the challenges of navigating loss and self-discovery.
“Move On” – Released on January 4, 2019, this final single serves as a powerful anthem of resilience and healing.

The Videos

Stream the Album

Mike Posner’s A Real Good Kid remains a testament to his ability to channel pain, growth, and acceptance into music that resonates deeply with listeners. Let’s celebrate this heartfelt album and the journey it represents—Happy 6th Anniversary!

A Real Good Kid, Anniversary, Mike Posner, Move On, Song About You, Stuck In The Middle