The hip hop world, fans and music enthusiasts praised Mac Miller on what would have been his 31st birthday, on January 19. Miller passed away in 2018 from an accidental drug overdose, but years later, his influence is widespread.
Miller, born as Malcolm James McCormick, leaves his legacy with his fans, but also the music industry. During the week of his birthday, the Pittsburgh, PA native earned multiple high posthumous musical achievements.
Miller’s “K.I.D.S.” Mixtape Surpasses One Billion Spotify Streams
Miller earned his spot in the Pittsburgh hip hop scene at age 18. According to Rostrum Records, the indie record label that released Miller’s K.I.D.S. mixtape in 2010, the mixtape passed the one billion Spotify streams mark this past week, just days before what would have been his birthday.
Mac Miller's mixtape 'K.I.D.S.' has officially surpassed 1 billion streams on @spotifyđŁ Proud of you Macâ¤ď¸ pic.twitter.com/P4b0gai5eB
— Rostrum Records (@RostrumRecords) January 18, 2023
A Twitter account called Historic Vids, posted a video of Miller speaking to fans the day that he released the "Knock Knock" and "Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza"-wielding mixtape. The video showed Miller talking with a side-by-side of a chat room blowing up with fan comments.
Mac Miller on the release day of his K.I.D.S. mixtape (2010) pic.twitter.com/MSJQPuJI1g
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) January 21, 2023
“Man, I’m so excited. If this gets trending, I’m gonna freak out,” Miller said.
He left the fans with a short video, as he needed to leave to meet fans in person. He was on his way to sell hard copies of the mixtape for $10 for those in Pittsburgh.
“It’s going to be a collector’s item, I’m tellin’ you.”
Miller didn’t know how right he was. The mixtape catapulted him into mainstream stardom. The one billion streams count is still growing.
Miller’s “Circles” Hits Its Three-Year Anniversary
Miller's posthumous album “Circles” was also released three years ago this past week, released on January 17, 2020. Upon its release, "Circles" earned the to spot on the Billboard 200 chart based on fan votes. He earned more votes than Eminem and Halsey's album debuts for that week.
According to Hip Hop By The Numbers, Miller produced 75% of the album, the most he’s ever produced for a studio album. He also sang over 74% of the vocals, and sold 164,000 albums in the first week, which is the highest earnings for an album he’s had.
Mac Miller's posthumous album Circles dropped today in 2020
Beautiful piece of art
- Mac has production on 75% of Circles - his most on a studio album
- 74.3% of his vocals are sung
- 164k 1st week - Mac's highestThis was a posthumous album done right. RIP Mac đ
— Hip Hop By The Numbers (@HipHopNumbers) January 17, 2023
Mac Miller’s Impact on Fans
Aside from his continuous musical accolades, Miller’s fans miss him and realize the impression he left on their lives, even after his death. One fan commented on the Hip Hop by the Numbers post, “When “Circles” dropped, I was at the lowest point in my life. I miss you Mac.”
Just as the album is called “Circles,” a fan recalled how this album coming out after Miller’s death fully made the music experience come full circle. The fan commented, “This album truly did give all of his fans some closure. Forever grateful for it.”
A Twitter account called “Mac Miller Forever” tweeted, “The Machead community is truly incredible. We will keep his music, his memory, his legacy, and his passion alive no matter what. We talk about him everyday and we have been at it for YEARS. Such a special fanbase to be a part of…”
the Machead community is truly incredible. we will keep his music, his memory, his legacy and his passion alive no matter what. we talk about him everyday and we have been at it for YEARS. such a special fanbase to be a part of. i love y’all!!! 92 til infinity MAC MILLER FOREVER!
— Mac Miller Forever (@llisonbyrd) January 19, 2023
Complex Music summed up Miller’s presence and his advice to his fans:
“Smile at someone today, make somebody happy, you have more power than you think you do.”