On Friday afternoon, Sept. 7, Malcolm James McCormick, better known as Mac Miller, was found dead in his San Fernando Valley home. The death allegedly came from an accidental overdose. During his lifetime he had been open about his battle with substance abuse. He tried various times throughout his life to remain sober but unfortunately he could never overcome his demons.

The news of his death comes as a tremendous heartbreak and surprise to many of his fans especially when considering that on Aug. 3 Rolling Stones published an interview with the artist titled “Mac Miller Wants You to Know He’s OK”.

Commenting on the reports of his death Natalie Lemus, 12, was shocked when she first heard the news.

“I never thought Mac Miller would die at such a young age and I especially never thought he would die from a drug overdose,’’ Lemus stated. “I knew he used drugs and had his issues, but he just always seemed so chill and happy at least to me.’’

Miller had been rapping since 2007, but did not reach notoriety till about 2010 with the release of his mixtape K.I.D.S. However, he became a household name in 2011 when his album Blue Slide Park released and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. His most recent album titled Swimming dropped on Aug. 3 and focused on the the woes of life and issues most of people go through as they grow older and try to discover who they are.

Mac Miller was known for his constantly changing sound.

As Julian Polanco, 12, states: “The only similarities I can find in his music from 2010 and 2018 are his voice. He went from being a frat rapper to some deep poet singing about life.’’

On Sept. 11, hundreds of people in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – the rapper’s hometown – mourned Miller’s death at Frick Park Blue Slide playground, the favorite childhood hangout he named his 2011 debut album after. Miller was a constant in his community and had pride in being from Pittsburg. He along with Wiz Khalifa – who blew up at around the same time – put Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the map.

As morbid as it may sound there are a couple silver linings to Mac Miller’s untimely passing. Those struggling with substance abuse may see this as a warning and seek help and with Miller’s death being mentioned everywhere new people will find out who he is, listen to his music, and hopefully find meaning within his lyrics. Kathleen Chavez, 12, recent fan of Mac Miller had this to say about her new found liking of the artist.

“I was never really going to listen to him until recent events,” Kathleen Chavez, 12, a recently turned fan of Mac Miller explained. “With his most recent album I could really relate to certain songs which is what people look for. I also think what draws me toward his music are the beats, melodies, and just everything that constructs the songs.’’

Malcolm James McCormick was a teenager just like us who chased his dreams and touched millions of peoples lives. Thank you, Mac Miller, from the 11 year old kid who you consoled on a daily basis and would walk home from school everyday listening to “Thoughts From A Balcony” and “Fight The Feeling’’ on repeat.

Rest in Peace to Easy Mac with the cheesy raps. A short lived life full of accomplishments.