Photo by Anna Meassick | Students in Hillside Hall pay tribute to the late rapper Mac Miller by posting sticky notes in their windows.
The death of rapper Mac Miller has devastated a number of students across the University of Rhode Island campus. Miller was found dead of an apparent overdose in his Los Angeles home on Sept. 7 at the age of 26.
After his death, his family released a statement about their son that stated, “Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at 26 years old. He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time.”
Miller consistently talked about abusing drugs in his songs for most of his career. Some people believe Miller’s death was influenced by his break up with singer, songwriter and actress Ariana Grande.
Grande was forced to disable the comments on her Instagram account due to users commenting it was her fault for his death on her posts.
Five days ago, Grande posted a video of Miller on her Instagram with the caption, “i adored you from the day i met you when i was 19 and i always will. i can’t believe you aren’t here anymore. i really can’t wrap my head around it. we talked about this. so many times. i’m so mad, i’m so sad i don’t know what to do. you were my dearest friend. for so long. above anything else. i’m so sorry i couldn’t fix or take your pain away. i really wanted to. the kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. i hope you’re okay now. rest.”
URI Student Kyle Johnson is one of Miller’s many fans who was disappointed to hear about his death. Johnson says that Miller’s music helped him cope with stress from school.
“Years back I was stressed in school,” Johnson said. “I had six courses and 19 credits. I was losing my mind, just glued to the library listening to Mac.”
Miller’s albums really had an impact on Johnson. “Mac changed perspectives on life,” Johnson said. “He helped us get through our struggles. There was always an album to push me through my hardships.”
Tyler Pelletier, a student at URI, also was disappointed to hear about the loss of an artist he knew many people looked up to. He sees the loss of Miller as an encouragement to want to listen to his music more.
“Hell yes I’m gonna keep listening to his music because I think he’s a good artist and it’s a nice way of remembering him,” Pelletier said.
Many murals and memorials for the rapper have been placed all around the city of Pittsburgh. Miller’s first studio album “Blue Slide Park” is based on Frick Park in Pittsburgh. Many fans have decorated the park with pictures, artwork and letters to him.
People have also taken to Twitter to express their sorrows. One user, “HaleyKat_” said, “I also think Mac Miller’s death isn’t sitting well with any of us because we all assumed we had more time, or that we would continue to grow up with his music like we have been. It registers with me as an actual loss that demands grief. Not a trending celebrity event.”
Miller was loved by all of his fans, friends and family dearly. His loss has come as a shock of sadness for everybody, even to the people who have never heard of him or his music. Many would say losing a legend as Miller at such a young age has taken a toll on the modern day music industry.