rockstar (feat. 21 Savage)

"rockstar" is a dark and atmospheric exploration of the modern celebrity lifestyle, equating the excesses of a rapper's life with the historical archetype of a rock star. The song delves into themes of hedonism, self-destruction, and the surreal nature of fame. Post Malone and 21 Savage describe a life filled with drugs ('poppin' pillies'), casual sex ('fuckin' hoes'), and extravagant displays of wealth and rebellion, such as throwing a TV out of a hotel window. However, the song's tone is not purely celebratory. The moody, downbeat production and Post Malone's monotone vocal delivery create a sense of weariness and melancholy, suggesting the emptiness and dangers that accompany this lifestyle. The lyrics reference deceased rock legends like Bon Scott and Jim Morrison, which serves as a memento mori, hinting at the tragic potential of living fast and dying young. Ultimately, the song portrays the 'rockstar' status as a double-edged sword: a state of ultimate freedom and success, but also a detached, isolating, and perilous existence. It reflects a cultural shift where rappers have inherited the mantle of the rebellious, chart-topping figures once exclusively occupied by rock musicians.

The song portrays a life of hedonistic excess and the psychological state of living like a modern 'rockstar'. The narrative opens with the protagonist, Post Malone, equating his lifestyle of casual sex and drug use, specifically pills, to the archetypal rockstar figure. His associates are always smoking, akin to Rastafarians, and any conflict is met with the threat of overwhelming force from his crew, described as 'shottas'. This lifestyle is characterized by a constant rotation of luxury cars and paying homage to deceased rock legends like Bon Scott of AC/DC and Jim Morrison of The Doors, suggesting a self-awareness of the potential tragic end to such a path. He describes trashing hotel rooms, a classic rockstar trope, by throwing a TV out of a window at the Montage. The scene is one of debauchery with cocaine and flowing liquor, surrounded by 'groupies' who are only interested in his fame. The feeling of being a spectacle is palpable, with women flocking to his trailer, blurring the lines between genuine connection and the transactional nature of fame.

This central theme of feeling 'just like a rockstar' is a recurring chorus, a mantra that grounds the chaotic narrative. It's a declaration of a state of being, defined by indulgence and a disregard for consequences. He describes on-stage antics that might lead to an arrest, further cementing the rebellious image. The sheer volume of women and the casual nature of the encounters are emphasized, highlighting a sense of detachment and emotional emptiness despite the constant physical company.

21 Savage's verse reinforces these themes from his own perspective. He boasts of being with 'superstars' in the Hollywood Hills and the casual nudity of women at his parties. His lyrics touch upon the material wealth that accompanies this lifestyle, like a twelve-car garage for only six cars, a symbol of absurd, impractical opulence. He contrasts his current life with his past, remembering when he had to 'chop hard'—a reference to his days of street-level drug dealing—before making it onto the 'hot chart'. This juxtaposition highlights the vast transformation in his life, now defined by smashing up police cars and a lifestyle 'sweeter than a Pop-Tart'. Yet, there's a cynical edge, as he questions the loyalty of a partner who would kiss someone else. His verse concludes by reaffirming his status, living a life that mirrors the rockstar archetype he and Post Malone have adopted.

The song's overall atmosphere is one of a melancholic celebration. The repetition of the chorus against a dark, atmospheric beat creates a hypnotic, almost weary feeling. It suggests that this 'rockstar' life, while filled with momentary pleasures and symbols of success, is also a relentless, draining, and potentially dangerous cycle. It's a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic 'sex, drugs, and rock & roll' ethos, filtered through the lens of modern hip-hop culture, where rappers have become the new generation's rockstars. The lifestyle is both a dream and a trap, a performance of success that carries a heavy, implicit cost.

"rockstar" was released on September 15, 2017, as the lead single from Post Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). The song's creation began at Quad Studios in New York. A young, then-unknown producer named Tank God, who was a 20-year-old college student at the time, approached Post Malone during a session and played him the beat he had made during his finals week. Malone was immediately impressed with the 'incredible' beat. The initial vibe and a scratch vocal were recorded during that session, which also included rapper Joey Bada$$, who consequently received a songwriting credit along with Post Malone (Austin Post), 21 Savage (Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph), Tank God (Olufunmibi Awoshiley), Louis Bell, and Carl Rosen. Frequent collaborator Louis Bell, who started as Malone's vocal engineer, co-produced the track, adding several key elements to Tank God's original beat. An early version of the song featured verses from T-Pain and Joey Bada$$, but it was decided that 21 Savage would be a better fit for the track's bleak and nonchalant tone. Post Malone felt 21 Savage embodied the attitude of not caring and having his 'own lane' perfectly. The final version was recorded at Electric Feel Studios and mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios before being mastered by Mike Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering.

"rockstar" is characterized by a distinctive and hypnotic rhythmic and rhyming structure that defines its trap genre roots and melodic flow. The song is set to a slow, deliberate tempo, creating a hazy and downbeat atmosphere.

Rhythm: The rhythmic foundation is a minimalist trap beat with sparse but impactful percussion. Post Malone's vocal delivery is notably metronomic and monotone, often described as a sing-song flow that glides over the beat. He uses a steady cadence, particularly in the chorus, which makes it incredibly catchy and memorable. 21 Savage's verse offers a rhythmic contrast. While still laid-back, his flow is more rooted in traditional rap, with more complex rhythmic patterns and a conversational, slightly menacing feel. The interplay between Malone's melodic, flowing rhythm and Savage's more grounded, percussive rhythm is a key dynamic of the track. The instrumental often drops out, leaving Malone's vocals acapella, which disrupts the rhythm and places emphasis on specific lyrical phrases.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, typical of the genre, focusing on end rhymes that anchor the verses. For example, in the chorus, 'pillies' is rhymed with 'Rasta' and 'shottas' in a loose, assonant way that prioritizes flow over perfect rhymes. Post Malone makes use of multi-syllabic and internal rhymes, as seen in lines like "Switch my whip, came back in black / I'm startin' sayin', 'Rest in peace to Bon Scott'". The structure is not a rigid, traditional scheme like AABB but rather flows more freely, with rhymes often connecting couplets or short stanzas to propel the narrative forward. The repetition of the hook, "Man, I feel just like a rockstar," serves as the song's primary rhythmic and thematic anchor.

"rockstar" employs a range of musical and literary techniques to achieve its distinctive dark and hypnotic atmosphere.

• Musical Techniques: The production, handled by Tank God and Louis Bell, is central to the song's feel. It features a minimalist, atmospheric trap beat with a ghostly, dour synth line that's more akin to Vangelis than traditional hip-hop. There's a notable use of a brassy synth lead and a subtle, reversed piano counter-melody that adds to the 'regal' yet somber vibe. The beat often cuts out, particularly during Post Malone's verses, creating an acapella effect that emphasizes poignant or catchy lines, making them more memorable.
• Vocal Delivery: Post Malone utilizes his signature melodic, sing-song flow, delivered in a steady, almost emotionless monotone. This detached delivery contrasts sharply with the chaotic lifestyle described in the lyrics, creating a sense of weary irony. 21 Savage provides a stylistic contrast with his more traditional, laid-back, yet menacing rap flow, grounding the track with his street-level credibility.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics are rich with allusions to pop culture and rock history (Bon Scott, Jim Morrison, the Montage hotel) to build the 'rockstar' narrative. The song relies heavily on repetition, particularly the chorus, which functions as a hypnotic hook, drilling the central theme into the listener's mind. There is also a strong use of vivid, often stark imagery ('Cocaine on the table, liquor pourin''), which paints a clear picture of the hedonistic scenes.
• Structural Loop: Upon its initial release, Republic Records famously uploaded a version to YouTube that was just the chorus looped for the song's full duration. This controversial but effective marketing gimmick exploited streaming rules and highlighted the track's most addictive element, contributing to its chart success.

"rockstar" was a monumental commercial success and had a significant cultural impact. It became both Post Malone's and 21 Savage's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it held the top spot for eight consecutive weeks, the longest run for a hip-hop song in 2017. The song also topped the charts in numerous other countries, including the UK, Australia, and Canada. Upon its release, it broke the single-week streaming record on Apple Music with over 25 million streams. As of September 2020, it became only the second song to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Performance. Its success was partly attributed to a clever, if controversial, marketing strategy where the label uploaded a YouTube video that was just the chorus on a loop, which counted towards chart streams. The official music video, a bloody affair referencing the Japanese action film *Lady Snowblood*, also garnered massive attention, hitting 1 billion views on YouTube. "rockstar" solidified Post Malone's status as what one critic called "one of the most popular musicians in the country," marking his transition into a mainstream superstar capable of blending genres like hip-hop, pop, and rock into a chart-dominating formula. The track is seen as emblematic of the 2010s' 'sad-rap' trend, reflecting a form of post-gangsta nihilism that became prevalent in hip-hop.

"rockstar" is built around the central metaphor of the modern rapper as the new rock star. This isn't just a title but a lifestyle package of hedonism, rebellion, and excess.

• The 'Rockstar' Archetype: The entire song is an extended metaphor comparing the artists' lives to the clichéd 'sex, drugs, and rock & roll' lifestyle. Phrases like "Man, I feel just like a rockstar" are repeated as a mantra, defining their identity through this lens.
• References to Rock Legends: Post Malone name-drops Bon Scott (AC/DC) and Jim Morrison (The Doors), both iconic figures known for their wild lifestyles and untimely deaths. This is symbolic on two levels: it pays homage to the 'original' rock stars while also subtly acknowledging the self-destructive path they are on. It's a foreshadowing of the potential consequences of their lifestyle.
• Trashing the Montage: The lyric "Threw a TV out the window of the Montage" is a direct reference to a classic act of rock star rebellion, famously attributed to bands like The Who. It symbolizes a complete disregard for rules and consequences, a key element of the rock star persona.
• Material Excess as a Symbol: 21 Savage's line, "Why you got a 12 car garage and you only got six cars?" symbolizes wealth so abundant it becomes absurd and impractical. It's a metaphor for a level of success that transcends need and enters the realm of pure status display.
• 'Issa Knife': While not in the song, 21 Savage's famous "Issa knife" comment about his forehead tattoo is relevant to the persona he brings. It symbolizes a dark, dangerous, and minimalist cool that complements the song's bleak atmosphere.

The most prominent recurring element in "rockstar" is the hook and central phrase itself: "Man, I feel just like a rockstar". This line is repeated extensively throughout the song, functioning as a chorus and a central thesis. Its repetition serves to drill the song's core concept into the listener's consciousness, acting as both a boast and a lament. It's the anchor around which all the lyrical vignettes of hedonism and excess revolve.

Another recurring motif is the juxtaposition of luxury and violence/rebellion. Phrases about partying with 'bad bitches', being in the 'Hills', and luxury items ('a 12 car garage') are constantly paired with threats ('call up on a Uzi'), destruction ('smash out on a cop car', 'Threw a TV out the window'), and drug use ('poppin' pillies', 'cocaine on the table'). This recurring theme highlights the chaotic and dangerous nature underlying the glamorous facade of their celebrity lives.

The motif of paying homage to deceased rock icons (Bon Scott, Jim Morrison) is a significant recurring idea. It appears in Post Malone's verse to directly link his own behavior to the legendary, and often tragic, figures of rock and roll history, adding a layer of dark, historical weight to his claims.

Musically, the ghostly, looping synth melody is a powerful recurring motif. It runs almost continuously, providing the song's dark, melancholic, and hypnotic atmosphere. Its unchanging nature reinforces the sense of being trapped in a relentless cycle of excess.