Our #AOTW today is late but death hasn’t ended his commercial success. He was an American rapper, singer, and record producer but at some point due to his religion, he once described himself as “the coolest Jewish rapper” in a rival response to Drake’s own claim to be “the best Jew in the Rap game” in his lifetime. Billboard.com in July 2016 enlisted the late rapper’s name as one of the 29 biggest voices in music (among other celebrities like Adele, John Legend, Shakira, T.I, Usher, Demi Lovato etc) who spoke against Donald Trump from using their songs to speak about his message during the Republican primary as well as blocking him on social media.
Obviously, Donald Trump has especially been a lightning rod for musicians. Mac Miller once tweeted in December 2015 telling Americans “please don’t elect this motherfucker man” because both o them had a feud. We will talk about it much later on the show when we play one of his songs titled Donald Trump. Right now let’s get to know more about Mac Miller. Malcolm James McCormick professionally known as Mac Miller was born on 19th January, 1992 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Miller was raised Jewish in the Point Breeze part of Pittsburgh.
Mac Miller began his career in the city’s hip-hop scene in 2007 when he originally went by the name Easy Mac and released the mixtape But My Mackin’ Ain’t Easy in 2007 at the age of fifteen. By 2009, he established himself as Mac Miller and released two mixtapes: The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown and The High Life. He signed a record deal with Pittsburgh-based indie label Rostrum Records. This gave a big boost to his career and gave him a steady income. The same year his breakthrough came with the mixtapes K.I.D.S. and later in 2011 with Best Day Ever as well as the single “Donald Trump”. He had 5 albums in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 and about 10 Mixtape before his death on 7th September 2018 at the age of 26.
Smile Back off Blue Slide Park album Peaked at #55 in Nov. 2011
Miller’s debut studio album, Blue Slide Park was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating over 500,000 units sold in the United States. It debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 album chart-the first independently distributed debut to take the #1 spot on the Billboard albums chart since 1995. The album was released in November 2011 after a slight delay. It was ranked No. 1 on Billboard 200 and sold 144,000 copies within the first week of its release. Mac Miller then made his first TV appearance.
2nd album Watching Movies With The Sound Off dropped in June 2013 debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200, selling 102,000 copies in its first week. According to Miller, the album is “very introspective and very personal so it’s kind of throwing it all out there and seeing what happens.” Mac Miller also released his first live album, Live from Space. He parted ways with Rostrum Records when his contract expired in January 2014. In October 2014, he signed a recording contract and distribution deal for REMember Music with the major label Warner Bros. Records, for a reported US$10 million. He then released his 3rd album (first studio album with Warner Bros) GO:OD AM in September 2015. In July 2016, he announced his fourth album called ‘The Divine Feminine’. The album was released in September 2016 and was well released by his fans. GO:OD AM debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA in November 2018 after Miller’s death.
“Live Free” (At the 2010 Pittsburgh hip hop awards, Miller won 21 & Under of the Year, and Best Hip Hop Video)
“My Favorite Part” featuring Ariana Grande off his 4th studio album The Divine Feminine
Miller’s first single/first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 75, and his most-viewed music video on YouTube with over 159 million views as of December 2018. Apparently, Miller and Trump had a personal feud over the Trump demanding royalties for Miller’s 2011 song “Donald Trump” after Trump had praised the song publicly early on — in 2015
Mac Miller in his words, he used to be into sports, play all the sports, go to all the high school parties. But once he found out hip-hop was almost like a job. That was all he did, he said.
The Divine Feminine-fourth studio album by Mac Miller released on September 16, 2016 featuring guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, Ty Dolla Sign and Ariana Grande, among others. Swimming Mac Miller’s 5th studio album and his last album was released on August 3, 2018. The album charted at #2 on the US Billboard 200. Swimming was supported by three singles: “Small Worlds”, “Self Care” and “What’s the Use?” Self Care debuted at #33.
Controversy
He died of an apparent drug overdose on September 7, 2018, at his Studio City home in Los Angeles.
In August 2016, TMZ reported that Mac Miller was in a relationship with American singer Ariana Grande. The report was later confirmed by Ariana Grande in an Instagram post.
AWARDS
In 2010, Mac Miller won two awards at the Pittsburgh hip hop awards. His last album-Swimming was nominated for Best Rap Album at the just concluded 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
About 10 of his mixed tapes released and albums were a commercial success, his first album remains his major work.
“Self Care” Mac Miller
Usually, on the #AOTW, our #2 song is always a song from the latest album. Now the supposed song which is meant to be on #2 will take the position of #1 now because it’s off Miller’s album that got nominated or the Grammys in 2019.
Wrap Up
He was an icon and despite his death, he will continue to enjoy some royalties starting September after his anniversary until 70 years after his death except he didn’t register his content before his death. It’s a copyright law that should be obeyed
Hopefully, before the end of this year, his name will top 5 Forbes list of highest-paid dead celebrities of 2019 of the just as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley; Charles Schulz made top 5 in 2018. www.theboxshowafrica.com
