Mac Miller (born Malcom James McCormick) is an American rapper, singer, and producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Miller has one of the most diverse and experimental discographies in modern hip-hop, and has released not only five studio albums, but 13 mixtapes as well (all of which I adore). Unfortunately Malcom McCormick passed away on September 7, 2018 at the age of 26, only a month after the release of his last album “Swimming.” Mac Miller was a huge inspiration to me; not only was he a very talented musician and rapper, but he was also regarded as a genuinely great person who his friends and family could rely on. His music touched many people, and his mixtape “Faces” got me though a very tough time in my life during high school.

It was no secret to anyone that Mac Miller had a drug problem, which ultimately led to his death. This makes the release of “Swimming” all the more disturbing and unfortunate when you realize the entire album is about overcoming addiction by “swimming” rather than “drowning” in it. Throughout the entire album, Miller expresses his struggle with drugs, fame, and relationships over dark, somber beats. He also makes it a point to share the importance of self care and self acceptance, especially after difficult times in our lives. The album’s opener “Come Back to Earth” is a sort of confession as well as a celebration, as the Pittsburgh rapper shares his struggles with depression and how he found the “light at the end of the tunnel,” so to speak, by ending up stronger than he was during his depressive episodes. It truly sounded like Mac Miller was finally in a better place after years of depression and drug addiction, only for fans to find out he was still struggling to overcome his demons.

Mac Miller managed to express some very diverse feelings and beliefs through this album, especially his emphasis on self care. Tracks like Self Care, What’s the Use?, and Ladders, really capture the emotional journey to self acceptance and self liberation the rapper endured. Mac Miller always had a way of involving his listener, and I believe that’s what attracted me to his music so much to begin with. When you’re listening to a Mac Miller record, you start to understand how he’s feeling, and that you’re not alone in feeling depressed, lonely, or lacking self confidence. It’s truly a shame we’ll never see him evolve further from what he was, but his music has absolutely immortalized him, and his caring personality left a mark on many people including myself.

Favorite Tracks: “Hurt Feelings,” “What’s the Use?,” “Self Care,” “Wings,” “Ladders,” “2009”

If you’d like to support this artist (or his family), consider buying this album here. Feel free to follow the artist here.