{"id":290527,"date":"2026-09-20T23:52:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T23:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/290527\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T23:52:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T23:52:09","slug":"happy-mac-miller-day-the-uproar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/290527\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Mac Miller Day! \u2013 The Uproar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 \u201cMac Miller Day\u201d to honor Miller\u2019s connection to and representation of the Steel City.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He began his career in Pittsburgh\u2019s 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, \u201cThe Spins.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cFrick Park Market,\u201d \u201cParty on Fifth Ave,\u201d and \u201cPA nights.\u201d It also referenced Kennywood\u2019s Steel Phantom ride and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s struggles with substance abuse and depression persisted.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/p>\n

He proved that a kid from Pittsburgh could make it big without forgetting where it all started.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Pirates have also honored Miller. At a \u201cCelebration of Mac Miller\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

In October 2018, just one month after Miller\u2019s tragic passing, his family partnered with The Pittsburgh Foundation and established The Mac Miller Fund<\/a>, which supports young local musicians from underserved communities and provides addiction-recovery services. Its mission is to continue Miller\u2019s vision of giving kids access to explore the arts and providing a safety net for those struggling with substance abuse.<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s influence on Pittsburgh goes far beyond his music. His career became a part of the city\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Thirteen years ago, Mac Miller was given a ceremonial key to the city and a day to call his own. \u00a0Though 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

5 NASH Students on Mac Miller<\/p>\n

\"Gracie<\/p>\n

\n Gracie Lynch, senior <\/p>\n

How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Three years\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ The Divine Feminine\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Congratulations”\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~\u00a0I like the annual celebration on his death anniversary at Blue Slide Park.<\/p>\n

\"Henry<\/p>\n

\n Henry Davis, senior <\/p>\n

How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ I\u2019d say I\u2019ve been a fan of his for a few years, maybe since eighth grade.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ I like the fact that he lived a carefree life and didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ K.I.D.S<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Fight the Feeling” featuring Kendrick Lamar<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

\"Caroline<\/p>\n

\n Caroline Eberle, junior <\/p>\n

How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ About three years\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Life”<\/p>\n

What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~\u00a0I really liked that Mac Miller themed Pirates game at PNC Park — even though I didn\u2019t get a bobble head.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Jackson<\/p>\n

\n Jackson Ross, senior <\/p>\n

How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Three years\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is your favorite thing about Mac Miller and his music? ~ I like that his music is very introspective.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Love Lost”<\/p>\n

What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~\u00a0I like the mural of him that is painted on the side of his old recording studio, ID Labs, in Etna.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte<\/p>\n

\n Charlotte Graham, senior <\/p>\n

How long have you been a fan of Mac Miller? ~ Two years\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller album? ~ Swimming<\/p>\n

What is your favorite Mac Miller song? ~ “Dunno”<\/p>\n

What is your favorite way Pittsburgh celebrates and remembers Mac Miller? ~\u00a0My favorite place in Pittsburgh that honors him is Blue Slide Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On September 20th, 2013, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl presented rapper Mac Miller with a ceremonial key to the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":290528,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,75,74],"class_list":["post-290527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=290527"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/290527\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/290528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=290527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=290527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}