By: Lily Knickerbocker
Mac Miller was a successful rapper and producer. He became famous at the young age of 19, when he released his breakthrough mixtape entitled K.I.D.S. In 2013, he created his own record label, REMember Music. Several years and multiple albums later, he was nominated for a Grammy for best rap album, Swimming.
Even with all of his success and fame, Mac always recognized and paid tribute to his Pittsburgh PA roots.
Mac Miller would reference his Pennsylvania hometown in many songs, including PA Nights (2011) “Pennsylvania nights, nine-thirty flights”, and Smile Back (2011) “Pittsburgh, let me show the world just where my city at”. Mac even released a song entitled Frick Park Market, dedicated to a local market in Pittsburgh where he would order ham sandwiches and play football as a kid.
After Mac Miller passed away in September of 2018, the city of Pittsburgh recognized Mac as one of the most successful artists that the city has ever produced, and continues to pay tribute back to him. In 2020, a mural of the late rapper appeared in Pittsburgh in honor of his album Circles.
As highschoolers in Pennsylvania, it is inspiring to see young artists like Mac Miller rise to the top and leave such a large mark on the music industry forever.