Rapper Mac Miller dies at 26—UPDATED
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 7:10 P.M. EST
Mac Miller’s family has released a statement following the news of his passing earlier today.
“Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26,” his family said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time.”
ORIGINAL POST: SEPTEMBER 7, 4:43 P.M. EST
Mac Miller has passed away Friday morning from an apparent overdose according to TMZ.
Law enforcement detail that Miller was found Friday around noon PST in his San Fernando Valley home and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details are currently developing.
Miller recently sat down with Vulture for a profile where he discussed the past year of his life including the pressures the spotlight puts on him.
“There’s pressure,” he says. “A lot of times in my life I’ve put this pressure to hold myself to the standard of whatever I thought I was supposed to be, or how I was supposed to be perceived. And that creates pressure.”
“It’s annoying to be out and have someone come up to me and think they know,” he continues. “They’re like ‘Yo, man, are you okay?’ I’m like ‘Yeah, I’m fucking at the grocery store.’ You know? It’s the job. This is what I signed up for. So, you just have to not. You have to have your own reality and that has to be the driving force of your life. Do I wish that every single thing I did when I was 19 wasn’t a discussion? Sure.”
Miller revealed that while the scrutiny was a lot to deal with, all that mattered at the end of the day was his fans hearing his music.
“You know what’s funny? I feel like the public perception of me varies on who you ask,” he tells Vulture. “But there’s a bit of a freedom in knowing that people are going to think all types of shit, no matter what. It actually makes me less stressed about how my actions are perceived. It’s out of my control. I mean, to a degree … I could control it. I could live this squeaky clean life and everything. I could try to control the media.”
“But I’ve been finding freedom in just living and letting people say whatever the fuck they want,” he continues. “Like, do I really care what Hollywood Life is saying? If I read a headline, and I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s completely untrue …’ I’m like, ‘That’s as far as it goes. Okay, cool. So a bunch of kids now think that.’ Fine. As long as I have people that are hearing my music, and there’s still that relationship … all that [other] shit lasts a day.”
In mid-May, Miller drove his G-Wagon into a power pole, knocking it down. The rapper and his two passengers fled the scene on foot, and he was later arrested after confessing to officers that he was driving while intoxicated.
Miller released his fifth LP Swimming in early August. The rapper was set to go on tour this October in support of it.
Miller’s final performance was Monday at The Hotel Café in Los Angeles. You can see a clip from the show below.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mac Miller’s family and friends at this time.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources:
FEND: Full Energy No Drugs anti-opioid initiative
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
