What led to Mac Miller’s death? That is the question that has been circulating for years as he was at the peak of his career at that time.
In this piece, we will explore the circumstances surrounding his passing as well as the life of the artist.
Mac Miller
Many celebrities are overwhelmed by their fame and often struggle to handle the immense adoration and pressure that comes with being at the top. This was also the case with Mac Miller.
Born on January 19, 1992, Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was a widely recognized rapper and music producer from the United States.
Miller emerged in Pittsburgh’s hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of fifteen. He secured a record deal with Rostrum Records in 2010 and produced his breakthrough mixtapes K.I.D.S. (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011).
When he released his debut studio album, it became the first independently released debut album to top the Billboard 200 since 1995.
Mac Miller’s swelling fan base took everyone by surprise. A young white rapper was on cloud nine after finding success in the hip-hop industry.
His appearance and fashion sense were remarkable. Not only was he a teenage icon, he also set himself apart by adorning his body with tattoos.
Even though he achieved success through his own talent and skill, his career was tragically cut short by what lay ahead for him later.
What Led to His Demise?
Mac Miller battled a lot of anxiety and depression. This compelled him to show his fans that his inner struggles were genuine.
He was very candid about all of the hardships he faced in his lyrics and interviews. However, Mac Miller’s anxiety and unhappiness became too much for him to bear. Everyone was aware of his struggle with substance abuse.
To manage his mental state, Miller turned to marijuana during tours. However, he soon became addicted to promethazine, codeine, and cocaine.
According to a 2013 Complex interview, Miller was reliant on these substances.
“I love lean; it’s great,” Mac Miller told Complex magazine. “I was not happy and I was on lean very heavy [during the Macadelic tour.] I was so f–ed up all the time it was bad. My friends couldn’t even look at me the same. I was lost,” Mac Miller revealed.
Miller confessed to Complex that he tried to quit lean several times but was unable to do so until November 2012 when he began filming his MTV2 reality show, Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family.
How His Substance Abuse Began?
His substance abuse began long before his music career. Mac Miller not only dabbled in drug dealing in high school but also admitted to starting drug use around the age of 15, a time when the brain undergoes significant and sustained changes.
Despite feeling guilt over his drug dependency and “hiding” aspects of his life, Miller managed to find the silver lining in his tumultuous situation.
Although he confessed in a February 2016 documentary that he “hated” being sober, Miller had been sober and leading a healthy life for three months by October 2016.
He also spoke positively about his improved mood and continued productivity. However, in April 2017, when asked about his sobriety, Miller said he was now “living regularly.”
His Romantic Life
Nomi Leasure
Nomi Leasure was Mac Miller’s ideal partner. They dated for seven years in high school and even attended prom together. Their on-and-off relationship came to an end in 2016.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller were in a relationship from 2016 to 2018. Miller first crossed paths with her when he featured on her 2013 single “The Way.”
Moments following their breakup, Miller tragically died from an accidental drug overdose. Grande reportedly ended the relationship due to concerns about his substance abuse.
Julia Kelly
Following Mac Miller’s accidental overdose on September 7, 2018, Julia Kelly shared a heartrending statement on Instagram.
“I would give anything to talk to you one last time and express my love. I love you forever, Malcolm,” she penned.
Kelly has been referred to as Mac Miller’s “secret girlfriend” and sources have indicated that they began dating in May 2018.
What Caused Mac Miller’s Passing?
Despite appearing mature and sober, he was actually ensnared in an unbreakable cycle from which he couldn’t escape.
On September 7, 2018, Miller’s personal assistant found him lifeless at his Studio City home and called 911. Paramedics arrived to perform CPR but Miller was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:51 a.m.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
On November 5, 2018, it was determined that Mac Miller died from an accidental drug overdose resulting from a “mixed drug toxicity” of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.
Currently, a drug dealer named Ryan Reavis, who supplied counterfeit oxycodone pills that led to Mac Miller’s death, has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison.
He is a 38-year-old individual, along with three other men, who were implicated in Miller’s death in Los Angeles’ Studio City area.
Fentanyl is an opiate that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Reavis’ attorneys referred to him as a “runner” and stated that he was unaware that the pills contained fentanyl.
Prosecutors believe he was acting under the orders of another individual named Stephen Andrew Walter, after he handed the pills to Cameron James Pettit, who has been accused of selling them to Mac Miller.
The Impression He Left
Following Mac’s death, there was an outpouring of love and appreciation for the rapper on social media. He was only 26 years old when he passed away.
Meanwhile, Mac’s close friends, colleagues, and rivals are left with his memories for eternity. Through Mac’s choices, more people will come to understand the true depth of his personal struggles.
According to Mac Miller’s family, “He was a beacon of light in this world for his family, friends, and fans.”
