Doomtree rapper P.O.S likes to push: push himself, push the envelope, push society off its axis. But while he fought and recovered from kidney disease for several of the last few years, he needed to stay in bed. The resulting isolation plus restlessness left him feeling like he was floating in space. When he wrote his new record, Chill, dummy, he used it to heal himself. Performing in The Current's studios, he told Sean McPherson, "A lot of this record is shaking that [toxic] stuff off."

Although there's always room for fun in P.O.S's performances — "I like that," he says when DJ Fundo throws a few record scratches on "Lanes" — an intensity burns through each new song he performs. During "Wearing A Bear," the beat goes on a blitz for a moment, surging to the front of the mix. Other rappers might let the music have its moment for a bit, laying off while the beat takes over, but P.O.S just keeps fighting. He bolts through a barrage of fragments and images.

When P.O.S performs, he leaves nothing on the table (see: his Jan. 28 Entry show, which left him satisfied and exhausted). This goes for his session at The Current, and it will certainly go for his mainroom show – he promised it himself at the Entry. See P.O.S perform with Invisible Boy and ZULUZULUU at First Avenue on March 17.

Songs Performed

"Lanes"
"Thieves/Kings"
"Wearing a Bear"

All songs off P.O.S's album Chill, dummy, out now via Doomtree Records.

Hosted by Andrea Swensson
Produced by Andrea Swensson
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Words by Cecilia Johnson

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