Mac Miller was a rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer among many other talents. The Pittsburgh native was only 26 when he died of an accidental overdose just a little over a month following the release of his album, "SWIMMING". Miller started off as what some would describe as a 'backpack rapper'. Early on his sound revolved around his everyday experiences with girls and parties. This sound appealed mainly to high school students and college students. At the time Miller would be unknowingly creating a lane within mainstream rap exclusively for this style of rapping. Pop rap aka frat rap was not a prominent sub-genre until Miller's explosion onto the mainstream. Though the style of rapping was popular among college students and high school students it was very frowned upon by critics and was deemed shallow and lacking of any real substance. The critical response to this style of rapping would reach Miller and result in a change in sound. Seeing as 2009 was the start of Miller's rap career, 2011 would mark the end of Miller's pop rap phase. 2012 marked a new chapter in the rapper's career as he would become more involved with heavier drugs and become an alternative rapper, rapping on rather unorthodox beats speaking on topics such as his drug use and experiences with failed relationships.
Miller was very open about his drug use and how it effected him musically. Miller's fan base found him to be more introspective and revealing in his music. From 2012 to 2014 Miller's sound can be described as left-field alternative rap. After his highly acclaimed mixtape Faces, Miller's fans would be forced to wait nearly 17 months for a return as Miller struggled with rehabbing and getting clean. September 2015 Miller would make his return more clear headed than ever. GO:OD Am marked a new chapter, seeing Miller in a new light as he discusses his battle with drugs and his new found confidence in his rapping abilities. The project received some of his most positive reviews to date from critics. From 2015 to 2018 Miller would experiment topics ranging from introspection regarding life experiences to the process of falling in love. Due to his untimely death, Miller fans will never know what would follow SWIMMING.
I listened to mac back in high school and I remember bumping best day ever all the time. A whole lot of remixes from his old tapes too! Rest in piece- his death was untimely for sure. He advanced so far and the sky was the limit..
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see such a recognized and talented artists die in such a way. Ariana's tributes and comments on their relationship and his affect on her life is so touching.
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