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Post Malone took a victory lap and Fetty Wap dropped a brand new song at Dallas show

Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen" and Post Malone's "White Iverson" are two of the biggest hip-hop sleeper hits of the last year, meaning they've enjoyed slow, steady climbs to pop-chart ubiquity.

Their trajectories are no fluke. While both songs feature relatively simple structures and backing tracks, the vocals and lyrical approaches are just weird enough to turn a listener's head. And once you've heard them a few times, forget it: They're permanently implanted. That's the power of an expertly written pop song, no matter what genres or influences guide its creation.

Fetty Wap, the 24-year-old New Jersey hitmaker born Willie Maxwell II, and Post Malone, the Dallas-raised 20-year-old Austin Post, have displayed incredible talent for writing hooks and capturing the imaginations of young fans.

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The proof of that was in every full-throated singalong on Tuesday night, and there were many. 

But the two men are still works in progress when it comes to touring nationally and commanding stages. In the area of showmanship, they were rough around the edges in their respective sets. But, as we said, the audience didn't seem to mind — folks were there to party.

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While Fetty's oddly bellowing voice sounded as clear and on point live as in his recordings, he was perhaps too generous with the time allotted for his headlining set. Several collaborators and associates worked the stage with him in standard rap-show fashion, and his right-hand man, Monty, was given an extended showcase in the middle. Trouble was that Monty's four tunes (including "Cash Green" and "Not Poppin'") didn't quite reach the hook-y heights of Fetty's.

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The songs performed from Fetty's debut album, however, bookended the set effectively. In the first half we got the lustful "Again" and the defiant "In My Ways." The latter, the star told us, was the first song written after a motorcycle accident that threatened his mobility last year.

The end of Fetty's show, of course, brought us the hits "My Way," "679" and "Trap Queen," which went over as well with the jubilant crowd as you'd expect. He also performed a brand new song for the first time.

"Dallas is the first to hear it, so tell me if y'all don't like it and I won't drop it," he said. The song was shared later on Twitter.

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Post Malone's stage wasn't as crowded with entourage members as Fetty's — the Dallas-raised rapper and singer paced and danced alone for much of his short opening set, backed by a track man behind a DJ booth. He entered the stage to that monster hit, "White Iverson," a basketball-referencing mesmerizer about celebrating oneself and waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.

It's the song that single-handedly launched the dude's career after he uploaded it to Soundcloud last year. Since then he's collaborated with 50 Cent and Kanye West, and he recently landed the opening slot on Justin Bieber's world tour (which hits American Airlines Center April 10). Self-fulfilling prophecy all the way. So much so that after opening with "White Iverson," Post also closed his set with it. And the reaction was bigger and better the second time.

Sandwiched between the double dose were other singles "Too Young" and "Tear$," but the greatest treat came with the guest star Post brought out to honor his homecoming.

Dallas rap legend and DSR member Big Tuck graced the affair with his bigger-than-life presence to perform a couple of local classics with Post Malone's help. As they worked their way through "Southside Da Realist" and "Not a Stain on Me," the young star seemed giddy on stage next to Tuck.

It was a moment that spoke not only to Post Malone's respect for his hometown, but also his recognition that he's still learning the game. He's playing it well so far.

More photos from the show:

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Hunter Hauk on Twitter: @hausofhunter