- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Dallas and help keep the future of Dallas Observer free.
Let's be clear about one thing: Post Malone is from Dallas. Okay, Grapevine. That's basically Dallas, though. Of course, he wasn't born here. He was born in Syracuse, New York. But still: Dallas. Got it? Well, you can imagine the pandemonium that was caused on Monday when XXL Magazine announced Post Malone was in the running for its XXL Freshmen Class of 2016 — and said he was "reppin' Syracuse, NY."
Everyone, take cover.
What's not clear is whether this was some sort of unfathomable conspiracy on behalf of XXL to deprive Dallas of the shine that it's due for Post Malone's inclusion, or whether it was a simple clerical error. That seems feasible, although no less defeating for local hip-hop fans clamoring for recognition beyond the city limits. There’s been no acknowledgement of the claim by Post Malone, who hasn’t tweeted in four days, or XXL Magazine.
What is clear: Dallas hip-hop fans lost their shit over this perceived slight to the Big D. For example:
Post Malone not Dallas anymore? XXL Freshman list. Dang. pic.twitter.com/vvaprv48kV
— TooFresh (@_LeoJ_) March 28, 2016
so uhmmm... Dallas are y'all still repping @PostMalone? cause he damn sure aint repping y'all! lol. pic.twitter.com/qgIVEzqmBB
— saycheesetv.com (@SayCheese_TV) March 28, 2016
Wait... Dallas. Yall seen Post Malone on XXL freshman reppin for NY though? Skkkkkkkrrrrrtttt what?
— satori06 (@satori06) March 28, 2016
I've been saying this lol that boy got big and dipped. I haven't heard or seen him rep for the D. https://t.co/dufPMl8wm8
— Jesus (@jesusurbina57) March 28, 2016
Post Malone not reppin Dallas lol
— Valente R. (@ValenteR23) March 29, 2016
i cant fw post malone anymore boy cant rep dallas i cant support him.
— Mike (@mramirez_6) March 28, 2016
*scans @xxlmag’s freshman list article: https://t.co/6iYsdmWd31*
— Brandon Caldwell (@_brandoc) March 28, 2016
so … post malone reppin’ syracuse?
Damn...the city Finna get post outta here....
— P.A.T (@NASAgangP_A_T) March 28, 2016
You get the idea. An overreaction? Eh, who knows.
If the mistake really was an oversight, then it’s an odd error. Since Post Malone's overnight success began last year, there have been five XXL articles that identify Dallas as his hometown, say he’s from Texas or make mention that he was raised in Dallas.
Post Malone has never been shy about "reppin'" his real hometown. Earlier this month, he appeared at House of Blues sporting a Texas Rangers jersey. He even brought a Dallas hip-hop stalwart out in the form of Big Tuck, who performed the Dallas classic “Southside Da Realist.”
One way or another, this is all just attracting more attention to the clickbait cash cow that is the annual XXL Freshmen Class list, which features 10 of the best up-and-coming hip-hop artists in the country for a special issue of the magazine coming later this summer. Post Malone was included among the list of over 100 rappers in the running for the 10th and final spot on the list, which will be decided by public vote. But hey, no one should be surprised he made the cut, anyway.
Keep the Dallas Observer Free... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls.
