{{Short description|American rapper}} {{Other uses|POS (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = P.O.S | image = POS warped09 tuckerleary.jpg | alt = | caption = P.O.S performing in 2009 | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Stefon Leron Alexander<ref name=westword2006/> | alias = {{flatlist| * P.O.S. * Emily Bloodmobile * LeRon }} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|08|18}}<ref name=allmusic1/> | birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | genre = {{flatlist| * Hip hop * hardcore punk }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Rapper * multi-instrumentalist * singer * record producer }} | instrument = {{flatlist| * Sampler * guitar * bass guitar * keyboards * drums }} | years_active = 2001–current | label = {{flatlist| * Doomtree Records * Rhymesayers Entertainment }} | associated_acts = {{flatlist| * Doomtree * Building Better Bombs * Gayngs * Marijuana Deathsquads * Cenospecies * Four Fists * Shredders * Dessa * Cecil Otter * Mike Mictlan * Sims * Paper Tiger * Lazerbeak }} | website = {{URL|https://www.doomtree.net/pos/}} }} '''Stefon Leron Alexander'''<ref name=westword2006>{{cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/music/pos-5091055|title=P.O.S.|work=Westword|first=Eryc|last=Eyl|date=November 16, 2006|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> (born August 18, 1981),<ref name=allmusic1>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pos-mn0000715609/biography|title=P.O.S: Biography|work=AllMusic|first=Marisa|last=Brown|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> better known by his stage name '''P.O.S''', is an American hip hop artist from Minneapolis. He has been a member of groups such as Doomtree,<ref name=startribune2012/> Building Better Bombs,<ref name=startribune2012/> Gayngs,<ref name=startribune2012/> Marijuana Deathsquads,<ref name=startribune2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/vita-mn-s-5-most-influential-2006-2011-p-o-s/133908153/|title=Vita.mn's 5 most influential 2006-2011: P.O.S.|work=Star Tribune|first=Tom|last=Horgen|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Cenospecies,<ref name=citypages2002/> Four Fists,<ref name=citypages1/> and Shredders.<ref name=citypages1>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/back-to-the-city-video-podcast-pos-discusses-shredders-and-2-other-new-projects/443841063|title=Back to the City Video Podcast: P.O.S discusses Shredders and 2 other new projects|work=City Pages|first=Simon|last=Calder|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
==Early life== P.O.S was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2009-03-20/756087/|title=POS|work=The Austin Chronicle|first=Chase|last=Hoffberger|date=March 20, 2009|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> He attended Hopkins High School, though he did not reside in Hopkins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/interview-p-o-s-of-doomtree-1798209152|title=Interview: P.O.S. of Doomtree|work=The A.V. Club|first=Christopher|last=Bahn|date=March 21, 2006|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early career=== Before entering hip hop, P.O.S performed in punk-rock bands Degenerates and Om.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://urbanbeancoffee.com/iheartmpls/2013/9/18/pos-of-doomtree|title=P.O.S. of Doomtree|work=Urban Bean Coffee|first=Josef|last=Harris|date=September 18, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926055020/http://urbanbeancoffee.com/iheartmpls/2013/9/18/pos-of-doomtree|archive-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref>
In 2001, P.O.S, rapper Syst, and DJ Anomaly formed the short-lived hip hop group Cenospecies.<ref name=citypages2002/> The group released a studio album, ''Indefinition'', in 2002.<ref name=citypages2002/> The group won the tongue-in-cheek award "Best Band to Break Up in the Past 12 Months" in the year-end issue of ''City Pages''.<ref name=citypages2002>{{cite news|url=http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2002/award/best-band-to-break-up-in-the-past-12-months-1144/|title=Best Band to Break Up in the Past 12 Months: Minneapolis 2002 - Cenospecies|work=City Pages|access-date=February 17, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325035759/http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2002/award/best-band-to-break-up-in-the-past-12-months-1144/|archive-date=March 25, 2014}}</ref>
===Doomtree=== In 2001, P.O.S and MK Larada formed the hip hop collective Doomtree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.thecurrent.org/2014/12/artist-of-the-month-doomtree/|title=Artist of the Month: Doomtree|work=The Current|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|first=Barb|last=Abney|date=December 5, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> The group has released three studio albums: ''Doomtree'' (2008),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12147-doomtree/|title=Doomtree: Doomtree|work=Pitchfork|first=Ben|last=Westhoff|date=August 29, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> ''No Kings'' (2011),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16043-doomtree-no-kings/|title=Doomtree: No Kings|work=Pitchfork|first=Nate|last=Patrin|date=November 28, 2011|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> and ''All Hands'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20070-all-hands/|title=Doomtree: All Hands|work=Pitchfork|first=Nate|last=Patrin|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
===Solo=== P.O.S released his debut solo studio album, ''Ipecac Neat'', on Doomtree Records in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/poss-ipecac-neat-is-10-years-old-6636583|title=P.O.S.'s Ipecac Neat is 10 years old|work=City Pages|first=Jack|last=Spencer|date=March 18, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> His second studio album, ''Audition'', was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/pos-revisits-audition-track-by-track-as-the-album-turns-10/394882471|title=P.O.S revisits 'Audition' track-by-track as the album turns 10|work=City Pages|first=Tim|last=Faklis|date=September 28, 2016|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
In 2009, P.O.S released his third studio album, ''Never Better'', on Rhymesayers Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12636-never-better/|title=P.O.S: Never Better|work=Pitchfork|first=Nate|last=Patrin|date=February 4, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> It peaked at number 106 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/Billboard-200/2009-02-21|title=Billboard 200: The week of February 21, 2009|work=Billboard|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
His fourth studio album, ''We Don't Even Live Here'', was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/pos_ropes_in_bon_iver_boys_noize_gayngs_for_we_dont_even_live_here|title=P.O.S. Ropes In Bon Iver, Boys Noize, Gayngs for 'We Don't Even Live Here'|work=Exclaim!|first=Gregory|last=Adams|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> It peaked at number 47 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/Billboard-200/2012-11-10|title=Billboard 200: The week of November 10, 2012|work=Billboard|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> A version of the album remixed by Marijuana Deathsquads, titled ''WDELH/MDS/RMX'', was released a year later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2013/10/stream-p-o-s-s-we-dont-even-live-here-remixed-by-marijuana-deathsquads/|title=Stream: P.O.S.'s We Don't Even Live Here remixed by Marijuana Deathsquads|work=Consequence of Sound|first=Michelle|last=Geslani|date=October 23, 2013|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
In 2017, P.O.S released his fifth studio album, ''Chill, Dummy'', on Doomtree Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/pos-spills-details-about-new-solo-album-chill-dummy/406263695|title=P.O.S spills details about new solo album 'Chill, Dummy'|work=City Pages|first=Jay|last=Boller|date=December 13, 2016|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
===Side projects=== P.O.S is a vocalist and guitarist in the punk band Building Better Bombs.<ref name=citypages2007/> The group released a studio album, ''Freak Out Squares'', on Init Records in 2007.<ref name=citypages2007>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/building-better-bombs-get-heavy-6687521|title=Building Better Bombs Get Heavy|work=City Pages|first=Steve|last=McPherson|date=May 23, 2007|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
He is a member of Minneapolis indie supergroup Gayngs.<ref name=theguardian2010/> The group's first studio album, ''Relayted'', was released on Jagjaguwar in 2010.<ref name=theguardian2010>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/mar/30/new-band-gayngs|title=Gayngs (No 757)|work=The Guardian|first=Paul|last=Lester|date=March 30, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
Marijuana Deathsquads was formed after Building Better Bombs went on hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/marijuana-deathsquads-raid-the-west-coast-6746651|title=Marijuana Deathsquads raid the West Coast|work=City Pages|first=Tigger|last=Lunney|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> Consisting of rotating members, the group released the first studio album, ''Crazy Master'', in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/marijuana-deathsquads-release-crazy-master-tonight-at-nick-and-eddie-6643490|title=Marijuana Deathsquads release Crazy Master tonight at Nick and Eddie|work=City Pages|first=Jeff|last=Gage|date=November 4, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
P.O.S is also a member of hardcore punk band Wharf Rats along with Chris 2, Chachi Darin, and Wade MacNeil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/the-crawl-who-will-rock-the-garden/118128839/|title=The Crawl: Who will Rock the Garden?|work=Star Tribune|first1=Chris|last1=Riemenschneider|first2=Tom|last2=Horgen|date=August 17, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
He is one half of Four Fists along with Astronautalis.<ref name=citypages2018/> The duo's first studio album, titled ''6666'', was released in 2018.<ref name=citypages2018>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/as-four-fists-pos-and-astronautalis-combine-rap-skill-and-punk-spirit-on-6666/496348511|title=As Four Fists, P.O.S and Astronautalis combine rap skill and punk spirit on '6666'|work=City Pages|first=Michael|last=Madden|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>
He is a member of Shredders along with Sims, Lazerbeak, and Paper Tiger.<ref name=hiphopdx2019/> The group has released two studio albums: ''Dangerous Jumps'' (2017)<ref name=hiphopdx2019/> and ''Great Hits'' (2019).<ref name=hiphopdx2019>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.52320/title.shredders-announce-great-hits-album-with-suburban-base|title=Shredders Deliver "Great Hits" Project|work=HipHopDX|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
==Style and influences== In a 2010 interview with ''Punknews.org'', P.O.S listed Minor Threat, Operation Ivy, Black Flag, Rancid, Metallica, and Michael Jackson as some of the first musicians he loved.<ref name=punknews2010/> Hip hop-wise, he cited Mos Def, Company Flow, Atmosphere, and Aesop Rock as important influences.<ref name=punknews2010>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/39588/interviews-pos|title=P.O.S.|work=Punknews.org|first=Richard|last=Verducci|date=August 26, 2010|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== In 2012, P.O.S had to cancel his national tour due to health concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/pos-cancels-us-tour-due-to-health-concerns-is-in-need-of-kidney-transplant-6647601|title=P.O.S. cancels U.S. tour due to health concerns, is in need of kidney transplant|work=City Pages|first=Erik|last=Thompson|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> In a video posted to YouTube, P.O.S said failing kidneys were to blame for the cancelation, saying: "Everyone keeps telling me, including my doctors, that I have to take care of my health first."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.thecurrent.org/2012/10/p-o-s-cancels-tour-to-undergo-treatment-for-kidney-disease/|title=P.O.S. cancels tour to undergo treatment for kidney disease|work=The Current|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|first=Andrea|last=Swensson|date=October 19, 2012|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> In 2014, he received a kidney transplant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.thecurrent.org/2014/03/p-o-s-kidney-transplant-success/|title=P.O.S. kidney transplant: Success!|work=The Current|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|first=Jay|last=Gabler|date=March 11, 2014|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
==Sexual misconduct allegations== In June 2020, P.O.S released a statement regarding allegations of abuse by his touring DJ. In response to this, multiple women came forward accusing P.O.S himself of a history of manipulation and emotional abuse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/doomtree-respond-to-allegations-against-p-o-s-the-stories-you-are-reading-at-least-some-of-them-are-true/|title=Doomtree respond to allegations against P.O.S: "the stories you're reading... at least some of them are true"|work=BrooklynVegan|first=Andrew|last=Sacher|date=June 27, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2021}}</ref> In July 2020, P.O.S responded to these allegations and announced that he was stepping away from music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doomtree.net/2020/07/16/from-p-o-s/|title=From P.O.S|work=Doomtree.net|date=July 16, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2021}}</ref>
==Recognition== [[File:POS - First Avenue Star.jpg|thumb|P.O.S's star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, 2020.]] P.O.S has been honored with two stars on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,<ref name=thecurrent2020/> recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/10-things-you-ll-learn-about-first-avenue-in-new-minnesota-history-center-show/509374312/|title=10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show|work=Star Tribune|first=Jon|last=Bream|date=May 3, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref> P.O.S has one star for his solo work, and the Doomtree collective also has one.<ref name=thecurrent2020>{{cite web|url=https://blog.thecurrent.org/2020/05/how-many-minnesotans-have-first-avenue-stars/|title=How many Minnesotans have First Avenue stars?|work=The Current|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|first=Caleb|last=Brennan|date=May 11, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref>
==Discography== {{See also|Doomtree#Discography|l1=Doomtree discography|Marijuana Deathsquads#Discography|l2=Marijuana Deathsquads discography|Four Fists#Discography|l3=Four Fists discography|Shredders (music group)#Discography|l4=Shredders discography}}
===Studio albums=== * ''Indefinition'' (2002) {{small|(with Syst and DJ Anomaly, as Cenospecies)}} * ''Ipecac Neat'' (2004) * ''Audition'' (2006) * ''Freak Out Squares'' (2007) {{small|(with Ryan Olson, et al., as Building Better Bombs)}} * ''Never Better'' (2009) * ''We Don't Even Live Here'' (2012) * ''Chill, Dummy'' (2017) * ''Dangerous Jumps'' (2017) * ''6666'' (2018)
===Remix albums=== * ''WDELH/MDS/RMX'' (2013)
===EPs=== * ''Falsehopes'' (2002) {{small|(with Cecil Otter)}} * ''False Hopes Mega!'' (2003) {{small|(with Cecil Otter)}} * ''This Is a Gang. All We Need Is a Name'' (2006) {{small|(with Ryan Olson, et al., as Building Better Bombs)}} * ''Wharf Rats'' (2011) {{small|(with Chris 2, Wade MacNeil, and Chachi Darin, as Wharf Rats)}}
===Singles=== * "Half Cocked Concepts" (2005) * "Bleeding Hearts Club" (2006) * "P.O.S Is Ruining My Life" (2006) * "Goodbye" (2009) * "Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)" (2009) * "Optimist (We Are Not for Them)" (2009) * "Purexed" (2009) * "Crack a Window" (2011) {{small|(with Big Cats!; split 7-inch with William Elliott Whitmore)}} * "Bumper" (2012) * "Fuck Your Stuff" (2012) * "Sleepdrone/Superposition" (2016) * "Wave" (2016) * "Wearing a Bear" (2016) * "Woof" (2016) * "Lanes" (2016) * "Overcast" (2019) * "Wave" (2022)
===Guest appearances=== * Heiruspecs – "Commonwealth" from ''Small Steps'' (2002) * Negative One – "Pressure" from ''Less Is More'' (2004) * Mel Gibson and the Pants – "Shark Sandwich" from ''A Mannequin American'' (2004) * Ernie Rhodes – "Solid" from ''The Orbital Effect'' (2005) * Sims – "No Homeowners" from ''Lights Out Paris'' (2005) * Mel Gibson and the Pants – "Collars Popped and Loaded" from ''W/ Guitar'' (2005) * Word for Word – "Elevata Music" from ''Twin Cites or Bust'' (2006) * The Awesome Snakes – "P.O.S. vs. Awesome Snakes" from ''Venom'' (2006) * Minus the Bear – "Drilling (P.O.S Redo)" from ''Interpretaciones del Oso'' (2007) * Astronautalis – "The Story of My Life" from ''Pomegranate'' (2008) * The Gigantics – "Mr. Anaya" from ''Die Already'' (2008) * Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak – "Shux" from ''Hand Over Fist'' (2008) * Cecil Otter – "Traveling Dunktank" from ''Rebel Yellow'' (2008) * BK-One with Benzilla – "A Day's Work" from ''Radio Do Canibal'' (2009) * The Returners – "I Promise" from ''Break Up Your Make Up'' (2009) * Prof & St. Paul Slim – "Broadcasting" from ''Recession Music'' (2009) * Approach – "Leads (Hard to Find)" from ''SweetKnuckleJunction (Season 1)'' (2010) * Grieves – "War for the Crippled" from ''The Confessions of Mr. Modest'' (2010) * Kristoff Krane – "Don't Mean a Thing" from ''Picking Flowers Next to Roadkill'' (2010) * B. Dolan – "Fall of T.R.O.Y." from ''Fallen House, Sunken City'' (2010) * Dark Time Sunshine – "Primor" from ''Vessel'' (2010) * Dez & Nobs – "Underbelly" from ''Rocky Dennis'' (2010) * Gayngs – "No Sweat" from ''Relayted'' (2010) * Muja Messiah – "Dear God" from ''M-16's'' (2010) * Mod Sun – "Keep It Movin'" from ''The Hippy Hop EP'' (2010) * Sims – "Too Much" from ''Bad Time Zoo'' (2011) * Open Mike Eagle – "Why Pianos Break" from ''Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes'' (2011) * Astronautalis – "This Is Our Science" from ''This Is Our Science'' (2011) * K. – "No Goons" from ''Raphood & Authenticity (Blackened Reissue)'' (2011) * Scroobius Pip – "Let 'Em Come" from ''Distraction Pieces'' (2011) * Spyder Baybie Rawdog and 2% Muck – "Knockin' at Your Door" and "Let Me Know" from ''Now That's What I Call Raw Vol. 2: Poornigraphy'' (2011) * Dark Time Sunshine – "Overlordian" from ''Anx'' (2012) * Mike Mictlan – "Syke!" and "Let Me Know" from ''Snaxxx'' (2012) * Showyousuck – "Hotline Miami" from ''Dude Bro'' (2013) * Busdriver – "Go Hard or Go Homogenous" from ''Perfect Hair'' deluxe edition (2014) * Toki Wright & Big Cats! – "Heal" from ''Pangaea'' (2014) * Koo Koo Kanga Roo – "Shake It Well" from ''Whoopty Whoop'' (2014) * Play Date – "Ninja Pajamas" from ''We All Shine'' (2015) * Sean Anonymous + Dimitry Killstorm – "Big Bang" from ''Better Days'' (2015) * Cavanaugh – "Typecast" from ''Time and Materials'' (2015) * Greg Grease – "On a Limb" from ''Born to Lurk, Forced to Work'' (2015) * Onry Ozzborn – "Turmoil" from ''Duo'' (2016) * Red Pill – "Fuck Your Ambition" from ''Instinctive Drowning'' (2016) * Sadistik – "Molecules" from ''Altars'' (2017) * YYY – "Here Today" from ''A Tribute to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds'' (2017) * Joey Van Phillips – "Broken Arrow" from ''Punch Bowl'' (2017) * Cas One vs. Figure – "Never Stop Running" from ''So Our Egos Don't Kill Us'' (2017) * Ultra Suede – "What It Is" from ''Ultra Suede'' (2018) * Transit22 – "Against the Wind" from ''Dark Day // Good Morning'' (2019) * Infidelix – "Six Days Six Nights" from ''#ripme'' (2019) * Dwynell Roland – "Motions" from ''Weird Captions'' (2019) * Ceschi – "Incesticide" from ''Sans Soleil'' (2019) * The MC Type – "Over the Influence" from ''Lucky Silverback'' (2024)
==See also== * Underground hip hop * Twin Cities hip hop
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|P.O.S}} * [https://www.doomtree.net/pos/ P.O.S] at Doomtree * [https://rhymesayers.com/artists/pos P.O.S] at Rhymesayers Entertainment * {{Discogs artist|P.O.S. (3)|P.O.S}}
{{P.O.S}} {{Doomtree}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:P.O.S}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American rappers Category:Midwest hip-hop musicians Category:Rappers from Minneapolis Category:Doomtree members Category:Rhymesayers Entertainment artists Category:Kidney transplant recipients Category:21st-century American rappers Category:Hopkins High School alumni Category:Gayngs members Category:Hardcore punk musicians Category:Musicians from Minneapolis