Mac Miller, Jewish rapper from Pittsburgh, reportedly dead at 26
The artist reportedly died of an overdose Sept. 7.
Mac Miller, a Jewish rapper from Pittsburgh, reportedly died of an overdose Sept. 7.
TMZ reported Miller was found dead at around noon in his San Fernando Valley, CA. home. He was 26.
His last album, Swimming, was released Aug. 3 to positive reviews.
Miller, born to a Christian father and Jewish mother, was not shy about his Jewish heritage, proudly having a Star of David tattooed in his hand. He had a Bar Mitzvah, and in the song S.D.S he rapped, “Jewish Buddhist consuming the views of Christianity.”
Miller’s 2011 mixtape Best Day Ever, with cheerful, relentlessly catchy tracks like ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘Best Day Ever Intro,’ helped raise his national profile. His music took on more serious, occasionally darker tones in later years, but Miller was regaled with praise all the same.
He famously dated pop singer Ariana Grande from August 2016-May 2018. Grande described her relationship with Miller as “toxic,” in a May 2018 tweet, shortly after Miller was arrested with a DUI.
The hip-hop community has mourned Miller’s death on social media.
Long Live Mac Miller, Rest In Peace We Love You
— Jaden Smith (@officialjaden) September 7, 2018
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
so sad. mac miller was a great dude. when i began my career he went out of his way to talk to me on the phone and give me advice. an amazing artist and human being
— LD (@lildickytweets) September 7, 2018
God fucking dammit. You were such an incredible person. You changed so many lives. Had so much love in your heart. You inspired me throughout highschool, and I wouldn't be where I was today without you. Never a more kind and sincere and beautiful person. I fucking love you mac.
— Beerbongs & Bentleys (@PostMalone) September 7, 2018
Miller was set to go on tour Oct. 27, with his first show scheduled for San Francisco, CA.
Miller was profiled in a Sept. 6 profile in Vulture.
“I really wouldn’t want just happiness,” he told Vulture. “And I don’t want just sadness either. I don’t want to be depressed. I want to be able to have good days and bad days … I can’t imagine not waking up sometimes and being like, ‘I don’t feel like doing shit’ And then having days where you wake up and you feel on top of the world.” PJC
Reach Joshua Needleman at jneedelman@jewishexponent.com. Follow the Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter for the latest stories.
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