Post Malone swings by Sesame Street

Post Malone is trading in his music for making waves on Sesame Street, starring in the upcoming special Storm on Sesame Street. This isn’t just a singalong; it’s an earnest effort by Sesame Workshop to equip children with tools to navigate and recover from increasingly extreme weather events.

The special, premiering on August 3 on Netflix and PBS KIDS, features beloved characters like Elmo and Abby Cadabby as they prepare for a major storm, only to come together afterward to demonstrate the power of community recovery. Joining them are Post Malone and comedian Michelle Buteau, who show the neighborhood how small acts of kindness can make a monumental difference when facing hardship.

The narrative is built on a powerful message: asking for and offering help transforms daunting situations into manageable ones. This theme is musically reinforced when Post Malone joins Elmo and friends in a gentle performance of his smash hit “I Had Some Help.” The lyrics are thoughtfully rewritten to emphasize teamwork and lending support, shifting the focus from heartbreak to collaboration during difficult times.

The initiative draws on a long-standing tradition within the franchise. Storm on Sesame Street builds directly upon the legacy of the 2001 special Sesame Street Gets Through a Storm, which offered comfort following events like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Now, the focus is broader, linking the show to a comprehensive educational effort aimed at preparedness.

To support this mission, Sesame Workshop has launched a wide-ranging initiative that includes bilingual digital resources, printable family guides, emergency preparedness activities, and special “Sesame Care Kits” filled with comfort items and essentials for families displaced by various disasters.

This proactive approach is rooted in real-world data. Research indicates that children born today are expected to experience significantly more extreme weather events than previous generations. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed parents reported their families having encountered at least one such event in the past two years, underscoring the urgent need for these resources.

The collaborative effort is backed by significant support from major partners, including the PSEG Foundation, Ford Motor Company, and Amazon, ensuring the educational tools are accessible to everyone.

Adding another layer of engaging content, the Sesame Street universe also recently released its parody album, Parody Party. This collection reimagines popular smash songs—including renditions of classics like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might”—into kid-friendly lessons about patience, recycling, sharing, and going to the bathroom.

Through these creative partnerships and educational resources, Sesame Street continues to prove that community resilience and kindness are the best tools for facing any challenge, whether it’s a major storm or a challenging day.