P.O.S (real name Stefon Alexander) is the atypical rapper. He never sports ice, spits about getting 'crank' or brags about how many Bentleys he owns. He could be your best friend, brother or classmate. Yet underneath his humble demeanor lies a verbal assassin armed with rapid-fire delivery and passionate lyrics.
Since co-founding Doomtree Records in Minneapolis over a decade ago, he has been as DIY as it gets. Initially, Alexander was involved in several punk rock projects around the Twin Cities that drew influences from acts like Minor Threat, At the Drive In and Fugazi. Once he bought his first drum machine, those influences slowly seeped into his newfound love of hip-hop. Suddenly, he was a rapper. It was his hard work with Doomtree that caught the attention of the bigwigs at Rhymesayers Entertainment, which is home to Atmosphere and Brother Ali.
"Rhymesayers actually put me on," he says. "They saw us doing our own thing for years and it just kind of grew like that. It was a very organic process."
In an industry supersaturated with rappers, it's often difficult to stand out. Alexander has avoided this hurdle by staying true to himself and his beliefs. Monetary pursuits take the back seat. There is no motivation other than a natural love for music and the ever-evolving artistic process.
"I would work any mind-numbing job as long I was able to keep making music," he admits. "After people stop paying attention to me, I will still be making music somewhere. I will mop floors if I have to."
On 2009's Never Better, Alexander cleverly balances his inherent punk rock backbone with hip-hop and defines the word 'multi-faceted.' His fans are a combination of hip-hop heads, punk rockers and indie kids. That magnet for diversity is clear on Never Better. For example, "Drumroll" is packed with punk rock flair while "The Optimist" carries elements of more hardcore rap, especially in the beginning. Then "Purexed" bursts in with a manic-depressive, drum-splattered slap against convention. It's a bold record that brilliantly displays his distinctive style.
"The Optimist is as simple as it sounds. It's about doing your own thing and being yourself," he explains. "Who cares if people think you're cool or not?"
That laid back attitude is a far cry from "Pissed Off Stef," the acronym's original meaning. Perhaps he harnessed all the anger from his punk rock and hardcore roots then channeled it into his undying work ethic. Either way, Alexander spans the musical spectrum with cryptic takes on politics, life and love. He manages to bring the urgency and righteous anger of punk rock into the world of hip-hop. He is revealing what hip-hop can be and is absolutely, never better.
2012's We Don't Even Live Here is Alexander's fourth studio album and fourth offering from Rhymesayers. The first single, "Fuck Your Stuff," is an in-your-face anthem rebelling against American consumerism, while "Wanted/Wasted" features fellow indie rapper Astronautalis.
While he's popped up here and there, it might be awhile before P.O.S. is back to gripping the microphone on a heavy tour schedule. Unfortunately, his recent health problems have not been resolved and there's no telling when he will return to top form. Rhymesayers put out a video statement from P.O.S. a few months ago explaining his need for a kidney transplant. Let's hope it comes through soon because P.O.S. isn't anywhere close to being finished. In fact, he's just getting warmed up. He's a gifted lyricist and all around incredible person. Doomtree wouldn't be the same without him.
By Kyle Eustice for RAPstation.com
Exclusive: P.O.S. - The RAPstation Interview
P.O.S (real name Stefon Alexander) is the atypical rapper. He never sports ice, spits about getting 'crank' or brags about how many Bentleys he owns. He could be your best friend, brother or classmate. Yet underneath his humble demeanor lies a verbal assassin armed with rapid-fire delivery and passionate lyrics.
Since co-founding Doomtree Records in Minneapolis over a decade ago, he has been as DIY as it gets. Initially, Alexander was involved in several punk rock projects around the Twin Cities that drew influences from acts like Minor Threat, At the Drive In and Fugazi. Once he bought his first drum machine, those influences slowly seeped into his newfound love of hip-hop. Suddenly, he was a rapper. It was his hard work with Doomtree that caught the attention of the bigwigs at Rhymesayers Entertainment, which is home to Atmosphere and Brother Ali.
"Rhymesayers actually put me on," he says. "They saw us doing our own thing for years and it just kind of grew like that. It was a very organic process."
In an industry supersaturated with rappers, it's often difficult to stand out. Alexander has avoided this hurdle by staying true to himself and his beliefs. Monetary pursuits take the back seat. There is no motivation other than a natural love for music and the ever-evolving artistic process.
"I would work any mind-numbing job as long I was able to keep making music," he admits. "After people stop paying attention to me, I will still be making music somewhere. I will mop floors if I have to."
On 2009's Never Better, Alexander cleverly balances his inherent punk rock backbone with hip-hop and defines the word 'multi-faceted.' His fans are a combination of hip-hop heads, punk rockers and indie kids. That magnet for diversity is clear on Never Better. For example, "Drumroll" is packed with punk rock flair while "The Optimist" carries elements of more hardcore rap, especially in the beginning. Then "Purexed" bursts in with a manic-depressive, drum-splattered slap against convention. It's a bold record that brilliantly displays his distinctive style.
"The Optimist is as simple as it sounds. It's about doing your own thing and being yourself," he explains. "Who cares if people think you're cool or not?"
That laid back attitude is a far cry from "Pissed Off Stef," the acronym's original meaning. Perhaps he harnessed all the anger from his punk rock and hardcore roots then channeled it into his undying work ethic. Either way, Alexander spans the musical spectrum with cryptic takes on politics, life and love. He manages to bring the urgency and righteous anger of punk rock into the world of hip-hop. He is revealing what hip-hop can be and is absolutely, never better.
2012's We Don't Even Live Here is Alexander's fourth studio album and fourth offering from Rhymesayers. The first single, "Fuck Your Stuff," is an in-your-face anthem rebelling against American consumerism, while "Wanted/Wasted" features fellow indie rapper Astronautalis.
While he's popped up here and there, it might be awhile before P.O.S. is back to gripping the microphone on a heavy tour schedule. Unfortunately, his recent health problems have not been resolved and there's no telling when he will return to top form. Rhymesayers put out a video statement from P.O.S. a few months ago explaining his need for a kidney transplant. Let's hope it comes through soon because P.O.S. isn't anywhere close to being finished. In fact, he's just getting warmed up. He's a gifted lyricist and all around incredible person. Doomtree wouldn't be the same without him.
By Kyle Eustice for RAPstation.com
