This past Tuesday, September 7th, 2021, was the three-year anniversary of the tragic death of rapper and singer Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller. McCormick died in 2018 at 26 years old from an accidental drug oversized only a month before he was set to go on tour to promote his album “Swimming.” Fans and friends took to social media to mourn his death and celebrate his life and music; Minnesota Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns wrote “Miss you everyday brother” on Twitter, and DJ Scheme posted, “RIP Mac Miller you inspired so many of us…rest east Legend.” To pay tribute, fans traveled to Blue Slide Park, the Pittsburgh park that inspired Miller’s debut album, “Blue Slide Park” to leave flowers.

Miller was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 19th, 1992, and began playing instruments such as the bass, drums, guitar, and piano as early as the age of six. He initially wanted to be a singer, but decided to become a rapper instead by age 15. He began releasing mixtapes under the name Easy Mac and as part of the duo The Ill Spoken alongside Beedie, but truly broke out in 2010 with his fifth mixtape, “K.I.D.S.” (the project peaked at number 62 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. He would release two more mixtapes before finally releasing his debut album, “Blue Slide Park.” Even though the album gained mixed reviews from critics, it helped him gain a cult following.

Miller, who had previously released “frat rap” party music, soon began releasing more introspective songs with R&B, funk, and jazz influences. Along with his musical experimentation came with deeper lyrics about depression and his battle with addiction. This stylistic change resulted in albums such as “The Divine Feminine” and “Swimming,” both of which featured contributions by funk legends DāM-FunK and Thundercat, and emotional lyrics about relationships, his mental health, and his issues with drugs.

On January 17th, 2020, his final album, “Circles” was released posthumously, receiving critical acclaim and debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Produced primarily by record producer Jon Brion following Miller’s death, the album, while very sad, seemed like a fitting, albeit abrupt, end to his discography.

Outside of music, Miller was known for his relationship with pop sensation Ariana Grande, and for appearing on television shows like “Punk’d,” “Ridiculousness,” and “Loiter Squad” in addition to movies like “Scary Movie 5.” He also acted as executive producer alongside singer Lana Del Rey for the short documentary film “Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?”

May his memory be a blessing.