I used to have a Zune. Y'all remember Zunes? Zunes were digital media players created by Microsoft. They were discontinued back in 2011 but I kept mine until the battery died because I'm a thrifty woman. We are using everything until it breaks. Anyway, my Zune saw a lot of good music between the years of 2010-2012. Mac Miller's music was a staple on my Zune.
The first Mac song I had ever heard was Nike's On My Feet. I was just on the internet looking for new music and I ran across the jawn like, "who is this white boy and who produced this?". It caught my eye and held my ear. I started searching for more of his music and stumbled upon Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza. Again, I'm trying to figure out who this white boy is? I later added his K.I.D.S. (Kickin' Incredibly Dope Shit) mixtape to my Zune so I could properly judge if I liked the dude. He passed the test. That mixtape got me through a lot after school homework sessions in the 8th grade. That mixtape also lowkey led me into my first relationship lmao. "Wat u know bout that K.I.D.S atiyaa?" I know a lot fool.
Then, Mac dropped his Best Day Ever mixtape. This was the soundtrack to my whole freshmen year of high school. My sister would sit in my room and play with her toys while I cleaned the house blasting Best Day Ever, Wear my Hat and Keep Floatin' on Saturday mornings. I can't begin to tell you how much of an impact that tape had on me. We'll get to that later.
Then, Mac dropped Blue Slide Park. It was the single for his debut album. Anytime a song starts off with, "My name Mac Miller, who the fuck are you?" I AM ALL EARS. You all know the drill by now, *add to Zune*. Blue Slide Park had some gems too. Missed Calls, Smile Back and Of The Soul to name a few.
And I can't lie, there was a long period of time where I got away from Mac. I wasn't checking for him like that. You know how it is. Music can be overwhelming at times. So many talented artists create so their music gets in the way of each other. Then I heard Someone Like You from Watching Movies With the Sound Off (his second album) on my Mac Miller Pandora station (the irony). It was kind of like, "Oh what's Mac been doing?" This Mac was different though. This was the start of me noticing the leveling up of the musician, not the rapper. Imagine me being late on Mac going by the pseudonym Larry Fisherman (his producer name) now.
The Divine Feminine is great. It's his fourth album and the artistry shows. Stay and Soulmate was on repeat for me. 2016 was quite possibly the most terrible year of my life. You have no idea. Remember how I said music can be overwhelming? Well, it can also be the only thing to keep you here. Keep you grounded. Keep you sane.
On August 3, 2018, Mac dropped what would be his final project, Swimming. I remember trying to listen to this right after listening to Travis Scott's Astroworld and I couldn't focus. I had a nagging feeling that I needed to dedicate a specific time to really listen to it. I guess my spirit was giving me a warning. I woke up a couple of days later and turned my speaker up and just let the album play. I remember tweeting, "This new Mac about to make me cry. It's good though." I had planned to write a music review on the album for my blog but I couldn't articulate how I felt about it at the time. That review is still in my drafts...
Here we go
Dear Mac,
You really ruined my day on Thursday. Nah I'm lying, you ruined my whole weekend. What a jerk. I just detailed my personal history of watching you grow musically. I can't tell you what a pleasure it was enjoying your art. You have left your mark on me and a lot of people my age in particular. A lot of first to your music. A lot of tears to your music. A lot of laughing to your music. A lot of reflecting to your music. A lot of figuring myself the fuck out to your music. Thank you. I have the biggest lump in my throat right now. The tears I am crying for you right now may be more for me and my nostalgia than you. Sorry about that. I hope you were the artist you wanted to be before you left us. You should be damn proud of yourself. I hate you had to leave that way. You were only 26. You were still growing up too.
Anyway, I had to get all this out because it's so weird to think you aren't somewhere being goofy and dropping music. I guess you are somewhere though and wherever that is I hope whatever you were battling with has left you. Since I didn't finish and post your review just know I said it was one of the best projects of 2018. It's one of the best albums I've heard in a minute. I loved 2009, So It Goes, Small Worlds, Ladders and Self Care the most.
Rest easy to the homie Mac.
"A life ain't a life until you live it." - Mac Miller, 2009
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