rockstar

About this song

Post Malone previewed the song in December 2016, nine months before its release, by posting a video of himself jamming to it in the studio, and the preview drew thousands of retweets over the year. In late December 2017, it was revealed that Joey Bada$$ had co-written the track and penned an extra verse after the original version leaked, and that the leaked version had featured a T-Pain verse in place of 21 Savage's contributions on the final release. In January 2018, the song spent 108 days at number one on Spotify's Global chart, breaking the record previously held by Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You". It remains the most streamed rap song on Spotify.

What it's about

The song compares the artist's habits to the "live fast, die young" rock and roll lifestyle. It name-drops figures such as Bon Scott and Jim Morrison and nods to rockstar traditions like throwing TVs out of hotel windows.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 22 other songs, like “Dood In Da Hills by DaDood (Ft. Goostavo)”.
• Covered 20 times, including “Turkish Rockstar by BEGE (Ft. EFESAVAGE)”.
• Written by Post Malone, 21 Savage, Carl Rosen, Tank God, Louis Bell and Joey Bada$$.
• Produced by Tank God and Louis Bell.
• Recorded at Quad Recording Studios (New York City).