How Mac Miller built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Mac Miller, born Malcolm James McCormick, was an influential American rapper who started his career at 15 in Pittsburgh. He gained recognition after signing with Rostrum Records in 2010, releasing mixtapes such as K.I.D.S. and Best Day Ever. His debut album, Blue Slide Park (2011), made history as the first independently distributed debut album to top the Billboard 200 since 1995, marking a significant moment in independent music.
1995: Blue Slide Park Topped the Billboard 200
In 1995, Mac Miller's 'Blue Slide Park' became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200.
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1995: Blue Slide Park Topped the Billboard 200
In 1995, Mac Miller's 'Blue Slide Park' became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200.
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2007: First Mixtape Release
In 2007, Mac Miller, under the name Easy Mac, released his first mixtape But My Mackin' Ain't Easy at the age of 15.
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2007: Career Beginnings
In 2007, at the age of 15, Mac Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's local hip hop scene.
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2008: Formed The Ill Spoken
In 2008, Mac Miller and Beedie formed the rap duo The Ill Spoken and released their mixtape How High.
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2009: Rebranded as Mac Miller
By 2009, he rebranded himself as Mac Miller and released two mixtapes: The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown and The High Life.
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July 2010: Signed with Rostrum Records
In July 2010, Mac Miller signed with the independent Pittsburgh-based label Rostrum Records, in the lead-up to his mixtape K.I.D.S.
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August 2010: K.I.D.S. Release
In August 2010, Rostrum released Mac Miller's mixtape K.I.D.S..
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2010: Record Deal with Rostrum Records
In 2010, Mac Miller signed a record deal with independent label Rostrum Records.
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March 2011: Released Best Day Ever and On and On and Beyond
In March 2011, Mac Miller released his fifth mixtape, Best Day Ever, and his six-track EP, On and On and Beyond.
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October 14, 2011: Released I Love Life, Thank You
On October 14, 2011, Mac Miller released his sixth mixtape, I Love Life, Thank You.
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November 8, 2011: Released Blue Slide Park
On November 8, 2011, Mac Miller released Blue Slide Park.
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2011: Release of Blue Slide Park
In 2011, Mac Miller released his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park.
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March 23, 2012: Macadelic Release
On March 23, 2012, Mac Miller released his seventh mixtape, Macadelic.
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July 2012: Lawsuit Filed by Lord Finesse
In July 2012, producer Lord Finesse filed a $10 million lawsuit against Mac Miller, Rostrum Records, and DatPiff for the unauthorized use of a sample from his song "Hip 2 Da Game" in Miller's 2010 mixtape song "Kool-Aid and Frozen Pizza".
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August 2012: Pink Slime EP
In August 2012, Mac Miller had completed at least ten tracks from a planned collaboration EP with Pharrell Williams, Pink Slime, but it was never released.
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November 21, 2012: You EP Release
On November 21, 2012, Mac Miller, under the alias Larry Lovestein & The Velvet Revival, released an EP, You.
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December 2012: Settlement of Lawsuit
In December 2012, the $10 million lawsuit filed by Lord Finesse against Mac Miller was settled out of court, with the stipulations remaining confidential.
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2012: You EP Release
In 2012, Mac Miller released You, an EP featuring lounge-jazz tracks as Larry Lovestein and the Velvet Revival.
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February 26, 2013: Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family Premiered
On February 26, 2013, Mac Miller's reality series, Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family, premiered on MTV2.
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March 4, 2013: Run-On Sentences, Volume One Release
On March 4, 2013, Mac Miller released a mixtape, Run-On Sentences, Volume One, solely featuring instrumentals made by himself.
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June 18, 2013: Watching Movies with the Sound Off Release
On June 18, 2013, Mac Miller's second studio album, Watching Movies with the Sound Off, was released.
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October 31, 2013: Delusional Thomas Release
On October 31, 2013, Mac Miller, under the moniker Delusional Thomas, self-produced and released an eponymous mixtape, Delusional Thomas.
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December 17, 2013: Live from Space Release
On December 17, 2013, Mac Miller released the live album Live from Space.
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2013: Founded REMember Music
In 2013, Mac Miller founded the record label imprint REMember Music.
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January 2014: Parted Ways with Rostrum Records
In January 2014, Mac Miller parted ways with Rostrum Records when his contract expired.
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May 11, 2014: Faces Release
On May 11, 2014, Mac Miller independently released his tenth solo mixtape, Faces.
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October 2014: Signed with Warner Bros. Records
In October 2014, Mac Miller signed a recording contract and distribution deal for REMember Music with the major label Warner Bros. Records.
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2014: Signed with Warner Bros. Records
In 2014, Mac Miller left Rostrum Records and signed with the major label Warner Bros. Records.
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2014: Balloonerism Recording
In 2014, Mac Miller recorded second posthumous album, Balloonerism, around the release of Faces.
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March 2015: Aquarian Dream Lawsuit
In March 2015, the band Aquarian Dream filed a $150,000 lawsuit against Mac Miller for sampling their song "Yesterday (Was So Nice Today)" in the song "Therapy" from his 2014 mixtape Faces.
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September 18, 2015: Released GO:OD AM
On September 18, 2015, Mac Miller released his third studio album and major label debut, GO:OD AM.
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December 29, 2015: Released Run-On Sentences, Volume Two
On December 29, 2015, Mac Miller released a follow-up to his first instrumental mixtape under his alias Larry Fisherman, titled Run-On Sentences, Volume Two.
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2015: Released GO:OD AM
In 2015, Mac Miller released the studio album GO:OD AM.
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September 16, 2016: Released The Divine Feminine
On September 16, 2016, Mac Miller released his fourth studio album, The Divine Feminine.
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2016: Released The Divine Feminine
In 2016, Mac Miller released the album The Divine Feminine.
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August 3, 2018: Released Swimming
On August 3, 2018, Mac Miller's fifth studio album, Swimming, was released.
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August 6, 2018: Released NPR Tiny Desk Concert
On August 6, 2018, Mac Miller's NPR Tiny Desk Concert was released.
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September 3, 2018: Promotional Performance at Hotel Cafe
On September 3, 2018, Mac Miller gave a small promotional performance at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.
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September 2018: Self Care Rose To Number 33 on Billboard Hot 100
After Mac Miller's death in September 2018, the single "Self Care" rose to number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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January 2019: Mac Miller Circles Fund Amount Raised
By January 2019, the Mac Miller Circles Fund had raised over $700,000 to support youth arts and community-building programs.
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May 2019: Mac Miller Fund Issues First Grants
In May 2019, the renamed Mac Miller Fund issued its first grants, including $50,000 to MusiCares to launch the Mac Miller Legacy Fund for young musicians with substance abuse issues.
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2020: Circles Posthumous Release
In 2020, the posthumous album Circles was released.
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2025: Balloonerism Posthumous Release
In 2025, the posthumous album Balloonerism was released.
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