Why I Love Mac Miller

Joe Wheeler
Sep 8, 2018 · 3 min read

Hip-hop is a raw art form — and for Mac Miller, especially from around 2013 to 2014, he used the medium to reflect an internal, psychological battle. He has become one of my favorite emcees, not only because I think his flow is amazing, and as a rap fan I like to dissect every bar, but more importantly because his music has a message, and his passing makes that message more urgent than ever.

In his early work, you can hear the influence of the 90s, golden era, boom-bap style that he was raised on, and themes of nostalgia and loving life are consistent throughout. In “Best Day Ever”, the first minute is a home video of Mac rapping the Suger Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”:

https://youtu.be/AbV-Q6tz4B8

This struck a chord with me because I recognize that kid in myself. When I was 9 or so, I used to hang out in my room and rap every word along to the Beastie Boys and Will Smith.

Mac was only 18 when he rose to fame and international popularity. It’s difficult to imagine what that would be like. All of a sudden, you have millions of dollars, people scream your name when you get on stage, you are touring the world; and you’re a kid. That’s a crazy amount of pressure for anyone, but especially when personal and emotional development are still in such early stages.

As a teenager with pretty much unlimited access to wealth, sex, drugs, and high society celebrities, I could understand why a lot of Mac’s early content is party music, and he often rapped about girls and getting high. But there was a noticeable shift in tone when he dropped “Watching Movies With The Sound Off” in 2013. What happens when fun turns to addiction? When the desire to transcend through excess proves to be hollow over time? Although Mac was clearly struggling at that time, his passion for life never waned. For that reason, his music has helped millions of people through substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. To show some examples, here are a few of my favorite quotes from the album:

“Life’s so precious, Lord knows life is so precious
Fight to the death, til’ there’s nobody left
You’re holding your breath because you might get infected” — I Am Who I Am (Killin’ Time)

“You got the world right in your hands and that responsibility is inescapable” — Objects in the Mirror

“Don’t even say you about to end it all
Your life precious ain’t a need to go and kill yourself
I’m not so sure that there’s an end at all
I wish the truth would just reveal itself” — Objects in the Mirror

His mixtape “Faces” goes deeper down the rabbit role of addiction, and its premonitions take on a deeper and more tragic meaning with Mac’s death:

“And if by chance this is my grand finale
Bury me in Allegheny County” — Grand Finale

“Doing drugs is just a war with boredom but they sure to get me” — Funeral

By the time Faces dropped, I had become a fully fledged Mac Miller fan and listened to his albums (especially Watching Movies) hundreds of times. When I heard Faces — in my opinion his most brilliant project — riddled with deeply introspective musings on drug use, suicidal thoughts, and depression, I was rooting for Mac’s wellbeing more than ever — not just as an artist, but as a human being.

Mac rose to prominence in a social media era where fans can get a closer look into artists’ lives. Through his radio interviews, reality TV show, and other appearances, I got the impression that Mac was a good person through and through. And anything I’ve read from people who knew him or worked with him reaffirmed that he was a humble, charismatic, funny, genuinely nice, and inspiring person.

I think the overarching message from Mac’s legacy is to check on your friends. Make sure they’re okay. Life is too precious to let it slip away. 26 is too young.

Mac, you are so loved by the world. Thank you for inspiring me. I will listen to your music forever. You made a positive impact on millions of people. You helped people out of some of the hardest realms. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, brother.

-Joe