Mike Posner's Reinvention Journey

A story about Mike Posner's journey from college rapper to international pop star, his fall from fame, and eventual personal transformation.

"I went to Duke and in my freshman year, I heard there's a guy in the dorm next door who's some white guy rapper from Detroit. That was Mike Posner. He lived one building over. I remember hearing his songs before they went public, like 'Cooler Than Me.' At the time it seemed far-fetched that he'd make it.

While we were at Duke, he blew up second or third year. We'd hear this guy was traveling every weekend doing shows at other campuses. He'd fly out Thursday, fly back Sunday night, and be there Monday for classes. He had meetings with Jay-Z's record label.

Over the next 10-15 years, he went on this perfect three-act journey. Act one was the rise - college musician becomes international pop star. Act two was the fall - he becomes a one-hit wonder. His next song goes triple platinum but it's smaller than the first. Then the next goes double platinum, which is even worse. His record label shelves him and won't release his music anymore for years.

He hits rock bottom at an Avicii concert. He's in general admission watching his friend on stage doing what he used to do. He's hoping somebody recognizes him. When they do, it's his worst nightmare because they ask 'What are you doing here?' Someone offers him a pill, and that becomes the genesis of 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza.' That song becomes an even bigger hit - 2 billion streams on Spotify.

Then his dad dies, leading to act three - the rebirth. He climbs 71 mountains to prep for Everest, which he eventually summits. He decides to walk across America. Two-thirds of the way through, he gets bit by a rattlesnake, almost dies, has to relearn how to walk. After months of therapy, he goes back to the spot where he got bit, resumes the walk, and finishes it.

Now he's become this very happy, positive, upbeat guy. He's sober, doesn't do drugs, doesn't drink, doesn't watch porn. He just wants to make art that inspires people."