Nearly four-and-a-half years after his death, Mac Miller’s legacy continues to go strong and be celebrated by his fans. Jan. 19, 2023, marks what would have been the rapper’s 31st birthday, and users are flooding social media with positive memories of Mac.
Happy Birthday Dear Malcolm 🎂 #HBDMac
We're all celebrating with you today. We miss and love you dearly 🤍 pic.twitter.com/SsxRbxNVVn
— The Mac Miller Memoir (@MacMillerMemoir) January 19, 2023
In honor of Mac Miller, here are 7 moments that highlight the rapper’s legacy.
1. Commitment To Putting Music Before The Hustle
First up is Mac’s prioritization of making good music as opposed to the “hustle” that comes with the industry, as his main goal was to “touch people” through his artistry.
“I don’t want it to be about the hustle. I don’t want it to be about how successful I am independently. I want it to be about how good the music is.”
#MacMiller wanted to touch people though his music…. Happy Birthday @macmiller 🕊🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/PJkCJax2dU
— REAL 92.3 LA (@Real923LA) January 19, 2023
As Mac’s projects—including K.I.D.S., Blue Slide Park, The Divine Feminine, Swimming, and Circles—continue to be widely praised, it seems like Mac accomplished his goal of making good music that deeply resonates with listeners.
2. Mac Miller’s Friendship With ScHoolboy Q
As far as Mac’s social media presence, his interactions with ScHoolboy Q are regarded as top-tier humor. One popular post compiled various moments of the rappers’ banter from over the years, remarking that their “friendship was one of a kind.”
Schoolboy Q and Mac Miller’s friendship was one of a kind 😂 pic.twitter.com/6pxGYeDACJ
— Mᴀʟᴄᴏʟᴍ (@100GranKids) August 2, 2020
Another beloved interaction between the rappers shows Mac hyping ScHoolboy up while performing “Yay Yay.” Additionally, they were photographed together for Mass Appeal.
Schoolboy Q performing “Yay Yay” with Mac Miller as his hype man will always be one of my favorite videos 🏁
— DUBZ 🐺 (@DubzMusic) August 29, 2020
Mac Miller and Schoolboy Q photographed by 13th Witness for Mass Appeal magazine pic.twitter.com/3bl0Xi2IE6
— Clo (@_c_l_o__) January 29, 2022
3. Being Celebrated In His Hometown
Mac wasn’t only loved by his fanbase, but his hometown of Pittsburgh also held the rap star in high regard. In fact, back in 2013, September 20 was declared the city’s annual “Mac Miller Day.” The rapper was also presented the Key to the City.
On this day in 2013, the mayor of Pittsburgh presented Mac Miller with a key to the city and declared the date (9/20) Mac Miller Day. #MacMillerMonday
via @sheeshmediaa pic.twitter.com/qugmX2gf0l
— Pigeons & Planes (@PigsAndPlans) September 21, 2021
4. Putting His Rap Skills On Display As A Youngin’
Throwing it back to his early days, we have to give a shoutout to a video of a pint-sized Mac spittin’ the lyrics to “Rapper’s Delight.”
Mac Miller spitting “Rapper’s Delight” as a kid 🥺🕊pic.twitter.com/WaYJ0rrBOT
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) August 31, 2020
Other videos from his adolescence show a high school-aged Mac freestyling with his classmates.
5. Mac Not Being Afraid To Show Off His Dance Moves
Aside from putting on shows with his rap skills, Mac was also known to bust a move! In fact, he can be seen getting down in a number of different clips.
in remembrance of mac miller, here’s a thread of videos to make you smile bc i think we need this today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/f5GMPGlU4H
— a⁶ (@houseofade) September 7, 2020
Here's a video of @MacMiller and @TreeJTV dancing to "Jump On It" pic.twitter.com/49sqfDuQ2l
— MacheadHeaven (@MacheadHeaven) May 14, 2016
mac miller dancing to whats the use? pic.twitter.com/RIL6FsM1kn
— ʜᴋ. (@hanlabdeli) August 6, 2020
6. Endlessly Promoting Wholesome Positivity: ‘You Have More Power Than You Think You Do’
All in all, one of Mac’s most admirable traits was his positivity, which he was never shy about sharing.
Mac Miller Positivity Post , we miss you 💔 pic.twitter.com/1d76bU3vCq
— bebe boy (@CalabasasSergio) September 7, 2020
It’s been two years since Mac Miller passed. Rest in peace, you will always live on and spread love through your music.🤍 pic.twitter.com/MRsc8HU3cN
— mac miller stan acc (@notbollyhood) September 7, 2020
7. Letting Donald Trump Know Wassup
While Mac was all about the positivity, he certainly didn’t shy away from checking Donald Trump. While Mac may have named a song after the businessman-turned-politician back in the day, he was not here for his antics when 2016 came around.
“I only have one thing to say: I f**king hate you, Donald Trump…Make America Great Again? I think you want to make America white again.”
happy birthday Mac Miller RIP 😔😔😔 plus Donald Trump's last day in office too can't forget this iconic vid #HappyBirthdayMacMiller pic.twitter.com/2mFuSzT8RP
— erik misses sab clairo mb bp tate liv fan account (@prfctbags) January 19, 2021
Happy heavenly birthday to Mac Miller.
