Posner started out as a record producer, working on some tracks with his hometown friend Big Sean.
Posner produced and featured on Big Sean's first mixtape on the song, titled "Yagum".
Posner's second mixtape, A Matter of Time (the first mixtape being Reflections of a Lost Teen) started attracting industry attention in 2009.
Working with Don Cannon and DJ Benzi, the mixtape was recorded  at Duke University in March 2009 under the name, "Mike Posner & the Brain Trust", the Brain Trust referring to Posner's supporters.
The release was unusual for being distributed for free through iTunes U, a channel designed for educational audio content.
Although Posner was not the only artist to take advantage of this loophole, his release was the most organized and high profile, and attracted the largest response, immediately reaching the number one position on the iTunes U chart.
Posner signed a record deal with J Records (RCA/Sony) in July 2009, after his Junior year at Duke University.
He chose to return to Duke after signing, and toured on the weekends while at the same time recording for his debut album.

Posner's third mixtape One Foot Out the Door was released in October 2009.
The mixtape was accompanied by a web series of the same name which aired bi-weekly from September to December.
Posner's debut album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff was released in August 2010.
The first single, "Cooler Than Me" has reached at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
He performed at music festival Bonnaroo and on the 2010s Warped Tour.
The second and third singles, "Please Don't Go" and  "Bow Chicka Wow Wow" reached the top 20 and 30 on the Hot 100 respectively.
The latter was released with an added verse by rapper Lil Wayne.
Posner won a 2011's ASCAP Award from the publishing organization for "Cooler Than Me".
On October 7, 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records.
With the shutdown, Posner (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release his future material on the RCA Records brand.
Posner started out as a record producer, working on some tracks with his hometown friend Big Sean. Posner produced and featured on Big Sean's first mixtape on the song, titled "Yagum". Posner's second mixtape, A Matter of Time (the first mixtape being Reflections of a Lost Teen) started attracting industry attention in 2009. Working with Don Cannon and DJ Benzi, the mixtape was recorded  at Duke University in March 2009 under the name, "Mike Posner & the Brain Trust", the Brain Trust referring to Posner's supporters. The release was unusual for being distributed for free through iTunes U, a channel designed for educational audio content. Although Posner was not the only artist to take advantage of this loophole, his release was the most organized and high profile, and attracted the largest response, immediately reaching the number one position on the iTunes U chart. Posner signed a record deal with J Records (RCA/Sony) in July 2009, after his Junior year at Duke University. He chose to return to Duke after signing, and toured on the weekends while at the same time recording for his debut album.
Posner's third mixtape One Foot Out the Door was released in October 2009. The mixtape was accompanied by a web series of the same name which aired bi-weekly from September to December. Posner's debut album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff was released in August 2010. The first single, "Cooler Than Me" has reached at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. He performed at music festival Bonnaroo and on the 2010s Warped Tour. The second and third singles, "Please Don't Go" and  "Bow Chicka Wow Wow" reached the top 20 and 30 on the Hot 100 respectively. The latter was released with an added verse by rapper Lil Wayne. Posner won a 2011's ASCAP Award from the publishing organization for "Cooler Than Me". On October 7, 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Posner (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release his future material on the RCA Records brand.
Mike Posner