Today marks what would have been Mac Miller's 30th birthday. The beloved rapper, who sadly passed away in September 2018 by overdose, has resultingly begun trending on Twitter as fans reflect on his life, career, and legacy.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mac Miller shot to superstardom with his 2010 mixtape—K.I.D.S.—which spawned well-known hits like "Senior Skip Day," "The Spins," and "Kool-Aid & Frozen Pizza." The following year, Mac Miller garnered further recognition for his Best Day Ever mixtape, and he also dropped his debut studio album: Blue Slide Park.

Mac Miller released a variety of well-received works in subsequent years, including Watching Movies with the Sound Off, GO:OD AM, and The Divine Feminine. Then, just a month before his untimely passing, he unveiled his fifth studio album: Swimming.

Two years after his death, a posthumous album titled Circles was released. Additionally, a 2014 mixtape, Faces, was posthumously re-released in late 2021.

With such a variety of popular hits, it's no wonder that many are paying tribute to Mac Miller today. To honor him, we've put together some stand-out moments from Mac Miller's rap career. 

Shout out from 'XXL'

In early 2011, Mac Miller earned a spot on XXL's annual "Freshman Class" list alongside other stars like Kendrick Lamar, YG, and Meek Mill. It's worth noting that Mac Miller was named an XXL Freshman shortly before his Best Day Ever mixtape dropped, suggesting he earned this title solely as a result of his beloved K.I.D.S. mixtape.

Mac Miller performed his XXL cypher alongside YG, Diggy Simmons, and Lil Twist, and his later successes show that he was an artist on the rise at this point.


'Blue Slide Park' debuting at #1 on 'Billboard 200'

Blue Slide Park may be Mac Miller's debut studio album, but it came on the heels of two wildly successful mixtapes. Once he dropped an actual album, Mac Miller fans were ready to lose themselves in the hits, and the charts prove it.

Mac Miller's independently distributed debut album immediately landed the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 list—a feat which had only been accomplished by Tha Dogg Pound's Dogg Food album at that point.

Involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation

A heartwarming video began circulating in 2012 showing Mac Miller teaming up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Specifically, Mac Miller met with an 18-year-old Pittsburgh native suffering from T-cell Lymphoma to help grant his wish: writing and recording a rap song.

"You're granting someone's wish, and that doesn't have a price on it," the rapper said of the foundation. "I hope that he feels like he came here and did something that was great. 'Cause, that's what we're gonna try and make happen."

Pittsburgh Mayor creating 'Mac Miller Day' and gifting him the Key to the City

On Sept. 20, 2013, former Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl celebrated Mac Miller by gifting him the Key to the City and officially naming the date "Mac Miller Day."

"It's cool to get recognized by your city, to get that hometown appreciation and love," he said of the honor. "There wasn't that much backlash to having a rapper who talks about drugs all the time having his own day."

Bashing Donald Trump

"Donald Trump" is an early, well-known single by Mac Miller released back in 2011. While the track is all about the desire to "take over the world" and be on some successful "Donald Trump shit," it understandably took on a different connotation once Trump began rising in political prominence. 

During a 2016 appearance on The Nightly Show, Mac Miller blasted Trump in a scathing critique fueled by personal beef and political differences.

"I only have one thing to say: I fucking hate you, Donald Trump," he said. "Make America Great Again? I think you want to make America white again."

As we continue to bump Mac Miller's many hits in his memory, let's also honor his legacy by keeping these moments in mind.

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