Overview
Stoney is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Post Malone. It was released on December 9, 2016, by Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Kehlani, and Quavo. The deluxe edition was released on the same day. It features an additional guest appearance from 2 Chainz. The production on the album was handled by Malone himself, Mustard, Metro Boomin, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, Illangelo, Charlie Handsome, Rex Kudo, Foreign Teck, and Pharrell Williams, among others. Malone generally sing-raps on the album, which is noted for its woozy, contemporary R&B-hip hop production. The album also features influence from country and outlaw country music.
Stoney debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and later peaked at number four on the chart. The album was certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The single "Congratulations", which features Quavo, was certified Diamond (14× platinum) by the RIAA and was Malone's biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit at the time.
Background
On August 14, 2015, Post Malone released his debut single, "White Iverson". The single became his breakthrough song. Due to his success with that single, Malone got the attention of a number of prominent rappers such as Kanye West and Young Thug, among others. Malone and Canadian singer Justin Bieber verged into a friendship, when Bieber made Malone as one of the opening acts for his Purpose World Tour to support the release of his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015).
On June 9, 2016, Malone made his national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing the song, "Go Flex". In June 2016, XXL editor-in chief Vanessa Satten, revealed that Malone was considered to be on XXLs "2016's Freshmen Class" magazine cover, however, she was "told by his camp that he wasn't paying attention to hip hop so much. He was going into more of a rock / pop / country direction." Malone denied these claims, saying: "My love of music should never be questioned... I shouldn't be chastised for expressing myself in whichever way I see fit." He went on to explain that his mixtape, as well as his then-upcoming album are both hip hop: "I have a hip-hop album coming out in August... I made a HIP HOP mixtape promoting my HIP HOP album."
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