The rap world lost another star on Friday, Sept. 7.
26 year-old Mac Miller passed away from an apparent overdose, as reported by TMZ.
The Pittsburgh native rapper struggled with addiction over the past five years, but unfortunately lost the battle.
Miller made great achievements in a career that lasted a little over a decade.
The artist released mixtapes with a rap group, The Ill Spoken in 2007, but pursued his solo career with tapes of his own.
His debut studio album in 2011, Blue Slide Park, reached number one on the Billboard chart in the United States and earned Miller a certified gold record.
Miller’s subsequent studio albums dominated the charts over the next seven years, as all four landed within the top five of the Billboard charts.
The rapper earned gold on singles “Knock Knock,” “Party on Fifth Ave.,” “Loud,” and “Dang!”
Also, Miller reached platinum status on singles, “Weekend” and “Donald Trump.”
Miller’s sudden loss comes at a time where things started to look up for the rapper.
The artist just released his fifth studio album Swimming last month and was about to embark on a tour across the country starting on Oct. 27 in San Francisco and ending in Vancouver on Dec. 10.
Many artists paid homage to Miller through social media.
Chance the Rapper tweeted, “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. I’m completely broken. God bless him.”
Pop artist Halsey paid tribute to the late rapper through a lengthy Instagram post.
Halsey wrote, “Today is a bad dream. Thank you Mac. For being a visionary.”
Later on, Halsey said to, “Check on your friends. Please. Call them. Tell them you love them. Be a resource that comes with no judgment.Let your friends unfold without feeling like they are burdening you.”
Members of the Monmouth community are also mourning the loss of one of the world’s popular rap artists.
Dan Maida, a junior health studies student, was upset over the news.
Maida said, “It’s sad to see another young artist die from substance abuse.
It’s concerning that it’s common for this to occur. Hopefully, Miller’s death will be a wakeup call to the hip hop and rap community.”
Vincent Lupo, a sophomore accounting student, echoed Maida’s thoughts.
“At 26, I feel like he was gone too soon. It’s a shame that he didn’t have enough care before the extreme happened.”
However, Lupo looks for the silver lining.
“Hopefully, Miller’s voice is finally being heard now more than it ever was.”
Even though Mac Miller left us too soon, we are fortunate to have his incredbile music.
Miller’s legacy will live on through the music he left us.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact Monmouth’s Substance Awareness Coordinator, at 732-263-5804 or send an e-mail to substanceawareness@monmouth.edu.
PHOTO TAKEN from Lipstick Alley
