Post to Be
"Post to Be" is a song by American R&B singer Omarion, featuring Chris Brown and Jhené Aiko. Released on November 11, 2014, as the lead single from his fourth studio album Sex Playlist, the track blends contemporary R&B with West Coast hip-hop elements, produced by DJ Mustard and Mike Free.[1] The song's lyrics revolve around themes of seduction and intimacy, with a notable chorus emphasizing playful possessiveness in romantic encounters. It marked Omarion's debut release under Maybach Music Group and served as a comeback single following a four-year hiatus from full-length projects.[3][4] Commercially, "Post to Be" achieved significant success, debuting at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and eventually peaking at number 13, while topping the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for six weeks. The track was certified 3× platinum by the RIAA, denoting three million units sold or streamed in the United States as of 2025.[5][6][7] An official music video, directed by Jay Ahn, was released on February 17, 2015, and features choreography inspired by Michael Jackson, including moonwalking sequences set in a luxurious Los Angeles mansion. The video has amassed over 900 million views on YouTube as of November 2025.[8][9] "Post to Be" received positive reception for its infectious production and collaborative chemistry, contributing to the album Sex Playlist's release on December 2, 2014, via Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. The single helped reestablish Omarion's presence in the R&B scene, peaking at number 13 on the Hot 100.[10][11]Creation and Production
Background
Following his signing to Maybach Music Group in 2012, Omarion shifted focus toward developing a more intimate, concept-driven project tailored for romantic audiences, which evolved into his fourth studio album, Sex Playlist. This period marked a creative resurgence for the artist, building on his independent release Ollusion from 2010 and emphasizing sensual themes to reconnect with listeners.[12] During the album's development sessions, Omarion specifically invited Jhené Aiko to contribute to a track, drawing on their shared R&B roots from the early 2000s to foster a sense of genre camaraderie. The collaboration quickly took shape, with the core of the song already outlined when Aiko joined, allowing her to craft her verse independently. Co-writer Ty Dolla $ign, alongside Omarion and others, contributed to the initial lyrics during these 2014 sessions, establishing the track's playful, explicit tone.[13][3][14] Aiko's verse drew direct inspiration from viral Vine videos featuring Kevin Gates discussing explicit acts, particularly his line about being "supposed to eat the booty," which echoed the song's title and prompted her memorable lyric. She developed this with frequent collaborator Micah Powell, aiming for a bold, humorous edge that aligned with the album's seductive vibe. These elements solidified the track's origins as a lighthearted yet provocative R&B collaboration.[15][13]Composition
"Post to Be" is classified as a hip hop and R&B club track with prominent trap influences, blending smooth vocal deliveries over rhythmic beats suited for nightlife settings.[16] The song's structure emphasizes a verse-chorus format that builds tension through layered vocals and instrumental drops, creating an infectious, danceable groove characteristic of mid-2010s urban contemporary music. Musically, it is composed in the key of B♭ minor at a moderate tempo of 97 beats per minute, employing a repeating chord progression of B♭m–A♭–D♭–G♭ that provides harmonic stability while allowing space for melodic hooks.[17] A key element is its interpolation of the 1992 reggae hit "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers, particularly in the chorus melody and rhythmic phrasing, which infuses the track with a nostalgic, island-inflected bounce adapted to a modern trap framework. The production, handled by DJ Mustard and Mike Free, adopts a minimalistic approach centered on deep synth bass lines, rapid hi-hats, and sparse percussion to maintain focus on the vocals and lyrical interplay.[18][19] This arrangement highlights Mustard's signature style of stripped-back beats that prioritize groove and atmosphere over dense instrumentation, enabling the featured artists' performances to shine. Lyrically, the song delves into themes of casual relationships and explicit intimacy, with lines that playfully reference sexual positions through a pun on "post" as both "supposed to be" and a bodily stance.[20] It also conveys post-breakup attitudes of indifference and empowerment, portraying scenarios where former partners observe new encounters without emotional recourse, underscoring a carefree, hedonistic mindset.[20]Recording and Personnel
"Post to Be" was recorded during sessions for Omarion's fourth studio album, Sex Playlist, in 2014.[21] The track features lead vocals by Omarion, with featured vocals provided by Chris Brown and Jhené Aiko.[20] The song was produced by DJ Mustard and Mike Free.[18] It was written by a team of contributors including Omarion (Omari Grandberry), Chris Brown (Christopher Brown), Jhené Aiko (Jhené Chilombo), Ty Dolla $ign (Tyrone Griffin Jr.), DJ Mustard (Dijon McFarlane), Mike Free, Chrishan (Chrishan Siggamoney Buck), and Choyce Cincere.[22]| Role | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Lead Vocals | Omarion |
| Featured Vocals | Chris Brown, Jhené Aiko |
| Producers | DJ Mustard, Mike Free |
| Songwriters | Omarion, Chris Brown, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Mustard, Mike Free, Chrishan, Choyce Cincere |
Release and Promotion
Single Release
"Post to Be," featuring Chris Brown and Jhené Aiko, was premiered by the LA Leakers on November 11, 2014.[23] The song was released for digital download on the same date through Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records.[24] As the lead single from Omarion's fourth studio album Sex Playlist, it received promotional support including a targeted push to rhythmic and urban radio stations to generate buzz ahead of the album's December release.[25][26] Initial marketing efforts also aligned with Omarion's broader album rollout, coinciding with announcements for his promotional appearances and live performances.Music Video
The music video for "Post to Be" was co-directed by Omarion, Jay Ahn, and Taz, and premiered on February 17, 2015, via Vevo.[27] It incorporates scenes set against a white Ferrari and group dance sequences in sleek, modern backdrops with an all-white production design. The visuals highlight luxury through the prominent Ferrari and high-end aesthetics, sensuality via form-fitting attire and intimate dance moves by Jhené Aiko, and energetic vibes in the dance sequences, all reflecting the song's themes of carefree, explicit encounters.[28] Omarion opens with smooth moonwalking beside the white Ferrari, dressed in a varsity jacket and black pants, before transitioning to synchronized group performances with Chris Brown, who showcases intricate footwork.[29] The all-white production design creates a minimalist, bright atmosphere that amplifies the artists' energy and the track's upbeat tempo.[28] As of November 2025, the video has accumulated 912 million views on YouTube.[8] Critics commended the directorial approach for its crisp, sparse style—described as "perfectly crisp mirror-dancing" that evokes a workout-like intensity—while praising the performers' charismatic displays and seamless synergy.[27] The clip's fun, unpretentious execution was noted for enhancing the song's playful sensuality without overwhelming its core appeal.[28]Remix Versions
The official remix of "Post to Be" was released on May 8, 2015, featuring new verses from DeJ Loaf, Trey Songz, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rick Ross.[30][31] This version replaced the original verses by Omarion and Chris Brown while retaining the chorus structure, including Jhené Aiko's signature lines from the hook.[32] Additionally, Trey Songz's verse samples Aiko's explicit line "But he gotta eat the booty like groceries" from the original composition, integrating it into the new lyrics for continuity.[32] Produced over DJ Mustard's original bouncy beat, the remix included subtle adjustments to accommodate the additional artists, such as extended sequencing for the verses.[30][33] It served as a promotional extension for Omarion's album Sex Playlist, which had been released in December 2014, aiming to sustain the single's momentum through high-profile collaborations under Maybach Music Group.[34][35] No other official variants or international mixes were released, with the remix standing as the primary extension of the track.[36][37]Commercial Performance
Chart Performance
"Post to Be" achieved significant success on the US Billboard charts, driven by strong radio airplay and streaming numbers. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 98 in the issue dated January 24, 2015, before climbing to its peak position of number 13 in the issue dated May 23, 2015, where it remained for 28 weeks. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it reached number 5 and charted for 34 weeks, bolstered by contributions from both airplay and sales/streaming metrics.[38] The track topped the Rhythmic Airplay chart for one week on July 4, 2015, marking Omarion's first number-one hit on that ranking, while peaking at number 2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for one week in the May 23, 2015, issue, and number 1 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for six weeks beginning May 23, 2015. Internationally, the single had more modest showings but still registered on several key charts. In Canada, it peaked at number 49 on the Canadian Hot 100 and charted for 20 weeks. In the United Kingdom, "Post to Be" reached number 74 on the Official Singles Chart, spending 16 weeks in the top 100, and number 11 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart for 47 weeks.[39] In Belgium (Flanders), the song peaked at Tip 70 on the Ultratip chart for 1 week, while in New Zealand, it peaked at number 40 on the Recorded Music NZ Top 40 Singles Chart for 37 weeks.[40][41] The song's global performance was particularly supported by rhythmic and urban radio formats, reflecting its crossover appeal in R&B and hip-hop markets. It also reached number 79 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia.[5]| Chart (2015) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 13 | 28 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 5 | 34 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | 2 | 29 |
| US Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | 1 | 30 |
| US Rhythmic Airplay | 1 | 32 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 49 | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 74 | 16 |
| UK Hip Hop and R&B (OCC) | 11 | 47 |
| Belgium Ultratip (Flanders) | 70 | 1 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 40 | 37 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 79 | 1 |
Certifications and Sales
In the United States, "Post to Be" has been certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as of December 2, 2024, representing 6 million units sold or streamed, where 1,500 on-demand audio and video streams count as one unit equivalent.[42] The song has also achieved notable certifications internationally. In the United Kingdom, it received a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on July 23, 2021, denoting 600,000 units including sales and streams. In New Zealand, Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) awarded it 3× Platinum status on October 30, 2025, equivalent to 90,000 units. In Denmark, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI Denmark) certified it Gold on April 15, 2025, for 45,000 units.[43]| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Units (as of date) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000 (Dec 2024) | RIAA |
| United Kingdom | BPI | Platinum | 600,000 (Jul 2021) | BPI |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | 3× Platinum | 90,000 (Oct 2025) | RMNZ |
| Denmark | IFPI Danmark | Gold | 45,000 (Apr 2025) | IFPI Danmark |