The 5 Best Hooks On Post Malone's "August 26"

With the release of his debut mixtape August 26 last night, Post Malone continues to solidify his status is an ascendent hook king. Malone has received many haters since "White Iverson" blew up -- due largely to his shaggy appearance and Cheshire Cat-like smile forever plastered on his face -- but it's getting harder to knock the quality of his music. The dude is a natural hooksman, and his hooks or only elevated by the presence of his go-to collaborator FKi.

We've picked our five favorite hooks from August 26. Stream the project and share your favorite hooks in the comments.

Of all the songs on August 26, "Money Made Me Do It" is the one most likely to become a hit. This song goes to show that when different people make it rain, it might look the same, but it might be an entirely different action. To wit: "Money Made Me Do It" is the perfect soundtrack to Post Malone making it rain in slow motion, with a giant, gleaming grin slapped on his mug. But it would not fit if, say, Blac Youngsta was making it rain.

This hook sounds especially nice when juxtaposed against 2 Chainz' lackadaisical verse, which is significantly less inspired than his contribution to Chance the Rapper's new song "No Problem."

Why is this song spelled "Monte" when it is clearly about Monta Ellis? Judging from the fact that he also references Rajon Rondo, who hasn't been Monta Ellis' teammate in over a year, Malone doesn't appear to be much of a basketball fan. But he convincingly captures the essence of what Ellis must feel like when he dices through three defenders with a vicious Eurostep. And he definitely knows what it feels like to "smoke Golden State."

Continuing with his sports metaphors, Malone compares himself to both Michael Jordan and Kyrie Irving on the hook of "40 Funk. There is a sense of urgency in his voice as he raps "My bitch is foreign, she got deported/ Thousand ounces, police is knocking." Which is refreshing coming from Malone, a man for whom little in life might be considered "urgent."

Channelling his id, and also his inner Tory Lanez, Malone isolates a powerful but sometimes difficult-to-convey emotiion: LUST. The "Git Wit U" hook is a useful soundtrack whether you're standing on the edge of the dance floor and creepily watching the girls shake their asses, or actually interacting with a person of interest.

The funniest song on the mixtape. Spare piano chords, a dialed-down tempo, and Jeremih's sweet tenor would indicate a romantic mood. But as it turns out in the song's first four lines, Jeremih is no romantic:

"I ain't here for no conversation
I ain't really tryna talk
Can't a nigga be honest baby
I just came here to fuck"