With the year that Mike Posner has had, we couldn't resist bestowing him with the honor of being our 2010 Artist of the Year. Sure, he may get tons of praise elsewhere (we're talking about you, Wendy Williams), but there's nothing like getting accolades from your hometown. It hasn't been that long since RDW chatted with Posner, after all, it was just a few short months ago that he had an incredible show at the Fillmore. But, regardless of that fact, Posner is just fun to talk to! After a short convo about the weather and boot options for females, we got down to business.

Posner's year has been full of jet-setting, handshaking and performing. Despite having released two mixtapes prior, Posner sought to create a full-length album. "Jay-Z gave me advice. He said I have the opportunity to create a great album, but it was going to be something that I needed to stumble towards and work hard at and that's what I did," says Posner.

His debut LP 31 Minutes to Takeoff garnered more attention than he could have bargained for, including a number eight peak-position on Billboard, a whirlwind of overseas love and television spots that showed him as the fresh new face of pop R&B. But there's more to him than just a cute face and a smooth-as-silk voice; Posner's got it going on.

"It's incredible to see that my music has reached parts of the world that I never thought I would even visit," he says. "I'm just incredibly grateful."

In the past year, Posner has appeared on several talk shows, presented on the American Music Awards (that story will come later) and wrapped it all up with a performance on Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve, where he got the crowd arguably more hype than any other performer. If he's accomplished worldwide fame, what's next?

"I have been in the studio a lot on the road, in Australia when I have time out there. I did a bunch of songs in Melburg, in Zurich, I've been writing a tone of stuff, a lot of stuff with Big Sean. I'm excited for those to be finished," he says. "I don't have any dates to drop on you but I can promise that my new material will be better than my last."

Does this mean less track romance and more maturity? Not necessarily. "I don't really consider myself mature," Posner says laughingly.

"All jokes aside, all I know how to do is write songs about my life. Obviously, there have been some transitions in my life and those will make their way onto the record, no doubt. People can look forward to real life on my album."

That "real life" has taken the form of Posner's hit single, "Cooler Than Me." The track almost single-handedly brought Posner to the forefront of popular music — he was no longer just a college kid producing from his dorm room. The song was nominated for Song of 2010 on URB magazine's readers poll and peaked at number five on Billboard's Hot 100 — not bad for a kid from Southfield.

Despite his many accomplishments, Posner still remains a fan in his own right. As promised before, Posner's AMA appearance left him in awe.

"I got to sit next to Max Martin, who is the best songwriter ever. And, to shake Muse's hand, was like ... people weren't even tripping over Muse. I don't even think Avril Lavigne knew who they were and I was like, 'C'mon they're like the biggest band in the world!'"

See, Posner couldn't easily be a product of the industry. He could say that the most predictable bands are his influences — instead he opts for Simon and Garfunkel. He could drive a fancy car, date models and be a snob. Luckily for us, he's not.

When asked who his personal Artist of The Year is, he takes a moment to ponder. "I think my personal Artist of The Year probably has to be Eminem. It's an exciting time for Michigan right now; there are so many people who are killing it," he says, going on to name Mayer Hawthorne and Big Sean. In regard to his own artist of the year title, Posner remains humble.

"It's an incredible honor. I remember flipping through the pages of Real Detroit when I was younger. To receive such praise from a publication that I grew up loving is an honor; it's not something I take lightly. It makes the hair stand up on my arms when I come home and see the support from my hometown. It means a lot to me to have the love and support I have."

After having a hell of a year, what can we expect from the budding star? Revealing that he has studio sessions blocked out for January and March, we can only hope that his sophomore album is on the horizon. "I don't know what's going to happen in those sessions. I can't tell you that all these people are gonna be working on the album because I don't know," he laughs. He also assures us that, after he returns from his European tour, he'll be doing some college shows, as well as a few festivals.

Regardless of what Posner has planned for the New Year, we're certain that his rise to the top is far from over. | RDW