American rapper Mac Miller was found dead at his home in California this morning. According to reports from Variety and Pitchfork, the artist died of an apparent overdose. Since news of the death has surfaced, tributes from various collaborators and friends of the rapper have flown in.
Miller’s family released a statement to Rolling Stone, confirming the death, saying “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.”
I dont know what to say Mac Miller took me on my second tour ever. But beyond helping me launch my career he was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew. Great man. I loved him for real. Im completely broken. God bless him.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 7, 2018
Blue Slide Park, Miller’s debut album, was released in 2011. The album was the second independent hip-hop album to top the Billboard 200 chart, since then the artist has released four more albums and several mixtapes.
The rapper was in a relationship for two years with Ariana Grande until a highly publicised split in early May. Miller’s fifth album Swimming was released just last month, and focussed heavily on the breakdown of the relationship as well as the young artist’s struggles with addiction. A US tour behind Swimming was set to kick off in October.
Miller has always been honest and open about his struggles with addiction and substance abuse in his music and in interviews, telling Beats1 host Zane Lowe, “It was the best thing that could have happened, I needed that. I needed to run into that light pole and literally have the whole thing stop.” after a recent DUI charge.
Watch: Mac Miller – “Self Care”
Check out more tributes to the late artist from Solange Knowles, Joey Badass, Thundercat, and more below.
Rest in your peace Mac Miller.
Always exuded so much kindness and goodness.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with us all.— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) September 7, 2018
Rip Mac miller
— diplo (@diplo) September 7, 2018
shocked & sad about Mac Miller. such a talented guy with so much life ahead. RIP.
— ac (@alessiacara) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/MissyElliott/status/1038174033467133952
Words can’t express how much I loved Mac. If I could have been with him all the time I would have, happy for the time we spent together. I will always celebrate his life.Thundercat – Hi (feat. Mac Miller) https://t.co/a7HxihREIr via @YouTube
— ashy daddy (@Thundercat) September 7, 2018