Let's be real: most big-budget pop collaborations feel like they were assembled by a boardroom of accountants. You get two famous names, a generic beat, and a music video where they barely look at each other. But then there’s Post Malone and Doja Cat. When "I Like You (A Happier Song)" dropped back in 2022, it didn't just climb the charts because of their combined star power. It stuck because, honestly, they actually seem to like each other.
It’s rare.
In an industry where everything is curated to death, the chaotic energy of Posty and the avant-garde "I don't care" attitude of Doja Cat created a weirdly perfect harmony. They’re the two kids in the back of the class making jokes while everyone else is trying to pass the SATs.
The Accidental Chemistry of Post Malone and Doja Cat
A lot of people think their collaboration was just a one-off studio session. It wasn't. Post Malone has been vocal about how he picks collaborators. He doesn't just look at the numbers. He looks for a "vibe." During an Instagram Live before his Twelve Carat Toothache album came out, he previewed the Doja track and couldn't stop grinning.
He called her "the G.O.A.T."
The song itself, produced by Louis Bell and Jasper Harris, is deceptive. It sounds like a simple summer bop, but it hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for a reason. It captured a specific kind of post-pandemic optimism. While Post was pivoting away from the darker, "Rockstar" era sounds, Doja was coming off the massive success of Planet Her.
They met in the middle.
The music video, filmed in the rolling hills of Ojai, California, is basically a fever dream of flowers and painting. Watching the behind-the-scenes footage—the stuff labeled "Even More" on YouTube—you see the real dynamic. They aren't just hitting marks. They’re genuinely laughing. Doja’s verse, which includes her playful "I hit you when I land" lines, feels like a conversation, not a script.
Why 2026 is the Year for a Second Round
Fast forward to right now. It's 2026, and both artists are in completely different spaces than they were four years ago.
Post Malone has basically become the king of Nashville. After his F-1 Trillion country era in 2024, he’s spent the last year touring with Jelly Roll on the "Big Ass Stadium Tour." He’s wearing boots, he’s got a fashion line called Austin Post Apparel, and he’s teasing not one, but two new albums for 2026. He’s talking about 45 new songs being ready to go.
Then you have Doja Cat.
She just released Vie in late 2025—an album that leans heavily into 70s and 80s retro textures. She’s about to kick off the "Tour Ma Vie World Tour" in early 2026, starting in Brazil and ending at Madison Square Garden in December. She’s evolved from a viral rapper into a high-fashion, experimental pop powerhouse.
So, why does this matter for a potential reunion?
Because they’ve both moved into "experimental" phases. Post isn't just a rapper anymore; he's a genre-less maverick. Doja isn't just a pop star; she's a visual artist. A Post Malone and Doja Cat collab in 2026 wouldn't be another "Happier Song." It would likely be something much weirder, soul-infused, or maybe even a country-pop hybrid that shouldn't work but somehow does.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their "Feud"
If you spend too much time on certain corners of the internet, you’ll see rumors that they "fell out." People pointed to Doja Cat’s shift toward a darker aesthetic during her Scarlet era as a sign she was distancing herself from the "frothy" pop of the Posty era.
📖 Related: The Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Ring: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
This is mostly nonsense.
In reality, they headlined the Global Citizen Festival together in New York back in late 2024. They’ve consistently supported each other's pivots. When Doja went through her "adversarial" phase with fans, Posty—who has dealt with his fair share of internet hate—was one of the few peers who seemingly understood the pressure of the spotlight.
The nuance is that they are both "outsider" insiders. They sell millions of records but clearly feel a little uncomfortable with the machinery of fame. That’s the glue.
Breaking Down the "I Like You" Legacy
- Grammy Recognition: The track was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 65th Grammy Awards.
- The "Vibe" Shift: It marked the moment Post Malone moved toward the "Happier" sound that eventually led him to the lighthearted nature of his country projects.
- Digital Reach: As of now, the main video has over 163 million views, but the "Even More" BTS video is the one fans cite for showing their real friendship.
Where Do They Go From Here?
Post Malone is currently holed up in his home studio, likely deciding which of his 45 new tracks make the cut for his 2026 releases. He’s mentioned on Twitch that he wants to "bring the fun back" to his music again. Meanwhile, Doja is prepping for a world tour that will take her through 2026.
The smart money says we haven't seen the last of them.
If you're looking to keep up with what's next, keep an eye on Posty's Twitch streams. He has a habit of "accidentally" playing unreleased snippets when he's five hours into a gaming session. For Doja, the clues are usually hidden in her Instagram Live rants or her cryptic X (formerly Twitter) posts.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the F-1 Trillion (Long Bed) album to see how Post’s voice has matured since "I Like You."
- Listen to Doja Cat’s Vie to understand her new 80s-inspired sonic direction.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 festival lineups—there's a high probability they'll share a stage again before the year is out.