On September 20th, 2013, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl presented rapper Mac Miller with a ceremonial key to the city. During the presentation, Pittsburgh officially declared September 20th “Mac Miller Day” to honor Miller’s connection to and representation of the Steel City.
Miller had shown pride in his hometown since he first stepped into the spotlight. He grew up in the Point Breeze neighborhood in the east end of Pittsburgh and attended Taylor Allderdice High School.
He began his career in Pittsburgh’s local rap scene in 2007 at just fifteen years old. In 2010, he signed with the record label Rostrum Records and released his mixtape, K.I.D.S., which features one of his most popular songs, “The Spins.”
After the success of his first releases, his career took off and started attracting many more ears than the local Pittsburgh crowd. Yet, his love and connection to the city remained very strong. In 2011, he released his first studio album, Blue Slide Park, named after the playground in Frick Park where he spent much of his childhood. The album featured several Pittsburgh-inspired songs including, “Frick Park Market,” “Party on Fifth Ave,” and “PA nights.” It also referenced Kennywood’s Steel Phantom ride and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker.
Miller never shied away from representing his hometown. He proved that a kid from Pittsburgh could make it big without forgetting where it all started. In 2013, he founded his own record label, REMember Music, with the goal of supporting upcoming Pittsburgh artists and fostering creative control.
Over the next few years, Miller released four more studio albums: Watching Movies with the Sound Off(2013), GO:OD AM(2015), The Divine Feminine(2016), and Swimming(2018). As his career grew, Miller established himself as a prominent hip-hop artist with a promising future. As his career continued to soar, Miller’s struggles with substance abuse and depression persisted.
After years of struggling with substance abuse and addiction, Miller died on September 7th, 2018, from an accidental drug overdose. He was just 26 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. Although his life ended far too soon, his legacy has continued, particularly in the city he called home.
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He proved that a kid from Pittsburgh could make it big without forgetting where it all started.
Pittsburgh continues to honor the late rapper in numerous ways. Murals dedicated to him can be found throughout the city, including in East Liberty, the Northside, and on the side of ID Labs in Etna, his old recording studio. Blue Slide Park in Squirrel Hill, the namesake of his debut album, has also hosted annual fan gatherings celebrating his life and music. These events have featured DJs playing his music, live art, and Mac-themed giveaways.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have also honored Miller. At a “Celebration of Mac Miller” game at PNC Park, the team distributed Mac Miller bobbleheads, played his music throughout the night, and featured chalk art and memory walls dedicated to his life.
In October 2018, just one month after Miller’s tragic passing, his family partnered with The Pittsburgh Foundation and established The Mac Miller Fund, which supports young local musicians from underserved communities and provides addiction-recovery services. Its mission is to continue Miller’s vision of giving kids access to explore the arts and providing a safety net for those struggling with substance abuse.
Miller’s influence on Pittsburgh goes far beyond his music. His career became a part of the city’s identity, and his connection to Pittsburgh remained evident throughout his life. Today, fans continue to listen to his music, visit places connected to his childhood and career, and find new ways to celebrate his legacy.
Thirteen years ago, Mac Miller was given a ceremonial key to the city and a day to call his own. Though he is no longer here to celebrate it, September 20th continues to be a day for fans to remember the artist and Pittsburgh native who made a lasting impact on his hometown.
In honor of Mac Miller Day, several NASH students who are fans of Miller shared their favorite things about the artist and his music to honor his legacy.
5 NASH Students on Mac Miller
Gracie Lynch, senior
How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Three years
What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ He seemed like a really nice and genuine guy. I love the way he showed his emotions through his music.
What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ The Divine Feminine
What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Congratulations”
What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~ I like the annual celebration on his death anniversary at Blue Slide Park.
Henry Davis, senior
How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ I’d say I’ve been a fan of his for a few years, maybe since eighth grade.
What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ I like the fact that he lived a carefree life and didn’t really care about what people thought of him. He was just always energetic and happy in what you can see through his interactions with people. I think that reflected in his music as well. He was just a positive person who was always smiling and making jokes.
What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ K.I.D.S
What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Fight the Feeling” featuring Kendrick Lamar
What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~ I definitely think the mural in East Liberty is a solid way of remembering and celebrating him. A buddy of mine goes to Allderdice and says they are proud of him there.
Caroline Eberle, junior
How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ About three years
What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ He seemed like such a nice, down-to-earth guy. His music sounds very unique compared to other music and there is really nothing like it. His lyrics are impactful while having a tone that can always put me in a good mood.
What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming
What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Life”
What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~ I really liked that Mac Miller themed Pirates game at PNC Park — even though I didn’t get a bobble head.
Jackson Ross, senior
How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Three years
What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ I like that his music is very introspective.
What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming
What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Love Lost”
What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~ I like the mural of him that is painted on the side of his old recording studio, ID Labs, in Etna.
Charlotte Graham, senior
How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Two years
What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ I like his diversity as an artist. He has so many different genres and something for everyone to enjoy.
What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming
What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Dunno”
What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~ My favorite place in Pittsburgh that honors him is Blue Slide Park.