| Full Name | Malcolm James McCormick |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 19, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Death Date | September 7, 2018 |
| Age at Death | 26 years old |
| Net Worth | $9 million |
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Mac Miller was an American rapper and producer who rose to fame in the early 2010s for his youthful, energetic style and jazz-infused beats. Over the course of his tragically short career, Miller released five acclaimed studio albums, collaborated with hip-hop‘s biggest names, and left an indelible mark on the genre before his death from an accidental overdose in 2018 at just 26 years old.
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Miller was born on January 19, 1992 in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the busy steel town, which later provided inspiration for his music. Pittsburgh‘s hip-hop scene also helped launch his career as a teen.
Family
Miller was born to photographer Mark McCormick and architect Karen Meyers. His parents divorced when he was young but remained on good terms to co-parent Miller and his sibling. Miller maintained a close relationship with his family, even featuring his grandparents in his 2016 MTV reality show.
Career Beginnings at Age 15
Miller‘s rap career began remarkably early at age 15 in 2007. Under the name EZ Mac, he released his first mixtape But My Mackin’ Ain’t Easy, showcasing his skills on the mic as just a high school sophomore. Miller quickly made a name for himself in Pittsburgh‘s local hip-hop scene, selling out hometown shows as his fanbase grew.
Rise to Fame and Accolades
Miller gained nationwide attention when he signed to indie label Rostrum Records in 2010. His breakthrough mixtape K.I.D.S. drew praise for its youthful charisma, earning him a devout following.
Miller‘s debut album Blue Slide Park (2011) debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, making music history. He was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2011 MTV VMAs.
Other career highlights include:
- Winning Top Rap Song at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards
- Releasing acclaimed mixtapes and albums from 2013-2018, including Watching Movies, GO:OD AM, The Divine Feminine, Swimming
- Collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ariana Grande
- 2018 Grammy nomination for Swimming
Jazz and Funk Inspiration
A talented musician himself, Miller played piano, drums, bass and more. His music fused hip-hop with jazz, funk and R&B, sampling artists like Bill Evans and Thundercat.
Albums like Watching Movies with the Sound Off incorporated live brass sections and complex structures reminiscent of jazz legends Miller admired. His beats remained funky and fresh while paying homage to vintage influences.
Untimely Death and Posthumous Legacy
Miller passed away in September 2018 at age 26, shocking fans and igniting tributes across social media. His death was ruled an accidental overdose.
Miller‘s final album Swimming was released just a month before his passing, with Circles finished posthumously by collaborators. Five years after his death, his lyrical skill, genre-bending productions, and retro-soul style continue inspiring new artists and connecting with fans.
Why Mac Miller‘s Music Resonates
Miller earned widespread acclaim and legions of loyal listeners for his impressive talents:
- Lyrics: Miller‘s rhymes were both playful and poignant, laced with quick wit and vulnerability. His wordplay was second to none.
- Production: In addition to rapping, Miller produced many tracks himself, deftly blending old-school funk and jazz vibes into hip-hop.
- Evolution: Throughout his career, Miller refused to be pigeon-holed, evolving across different styles and sounds as he grew as an artist.
- Honesty: Miller got personal in his later work, rapping frankly about mental health struggles in an open and relatable way.
Though his time in the spotlight was cut short, Mac Miller made an indelible impact on hip-hop. His youthful spirit, lyrical brilliance, retro-tinged beats, and willingness to be emotionally vulnerable came together to create a magical musical blend lighting up speakers to this day. Miller remains one of the most talented and authentic young rappers to emerge in the past decade, inspiring artists and fans with his tragically brief but brilliant career.
