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Rapper Mac Miller reportedly died of an apparent overdose at the age of 26.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI

If there is one thing that has emerged in the days since Mac Miller Tragically premature death at age 26, that is the reputation he had among his peers, who described the rapper as one of the sweetest and most talented figures of hip-hop.

A playlist of Miller's essential pieces could include hours of music, but for an introduction to his best work and career, start with these eight songs.

"Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza" (2010)

It's hard to listen to an 18-year-old rap, Mac Miller: "I've had a hundred billion feeds coming" on "Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza" and I'm not sad. The standout song of his 2010 mixtape "KIDS" introduced Miller to his younger fans as a peer, enjoying a mere teenager existence while working toward something more meaningful: "Yeah, I live a life quite similar to yours / Hang in with friends and play sports / Every summer at the beach / And all that, but I knew I wanted more.

"Nikes on my Feet" (2010)

Built around a brilliant sample of Nas' "The World Is Yours", "Nikes On My Feet" was one of the examples of "KIDS" that proved something that Miller's longtime fans knew always: his work was more sophisticated than the other "frat rappers" with which he was often grouped. Like Kid Cudi – another rapper whose career has been marked by his personal difficulties – Miller's music will eventually get rid of the sneering term, and he would win the most, but perhaps not all, the critical respect he deserved.

"Donald Trump" (2011)

Miller chose a premonitory inspiration for his anthem with the chorus "Take the world when I'm on my Donald Trump (explosive)." for the piece sample, evidence of the rapper's boundless musical curiosity which many admirers have spoken to in the days that followed his death.

"REMember" (2013)

At the time of the release of his "Watching Movies with the Sound Off" album in 2013, Miller had experienced enough pain to give his release a new depth, dedicating "REMember" to a dead friend and hitting the weight of the world. on his shoulders. In a sad twist of fate, Miller is now a figure who will be mourned in the words of his peers.

More: Childish Gambino, Elton John, G-Eazy pay homage to Mac Miller on stage

Related: Mac Miller's family and famous friends mourn his "heartbreaking" death

"The Way", Ariana Grande feat. Miller (2013)

Of all the successes of Miller who make a painful listening today, "The Way" is particularly difficult, given the disorder that was hers and that of Ariana Grande in the months that preceded his death; their break-up, their quick commitment, a public declaration hinting at their "toxic" relationship and their reserved acceptance of their situation during interviews after their separation. And yet, in 2013, Miller and Grande were only collaborators united to form a group that ranks among the best.

More: Ariana Grande remembers Mac Miller with a touching Instagram photo

"Weekend" feat. Miguel (2015)

"Weekend" shows Miller rapping past weekends to party, but unlike his more careless songs from previous years, he spent his weekends worrying about his growing fame and anxiety. Yet he does not sound consumed by his demons, his gaze always fixed on happier nights to come.

"Dang!" Feat. Anderson .Paak (2016)

Mac Miller was a rapper rapper, with voices around the emerging industry to remember his kind behavior and prodigious talents over the past few days. Miller has always had great taste in collaborators and his "Dang!" Assisted by Anderson. is a highlight of Miller's "Divine Feminine" album, a cheerful chronicle of a less rosy relationship. If there is a tendency in Miller's discography, it is the rapper's optimism about personal dramas, which he has led to the end in his episode worthy of "Divine Feminine", 2018 " Swimming ".

More: What we learned about Mac Miller on the new album 'Swimming & # 39;

"Self Care" (2018)

After surviving the storm of public speculation after his breakup with Grande and a DUI rumor, Miller returned with his single "Self Care", taking up one of the hottest terms of 2018 to explain the difficulties that He overcame. Listening to the song as a result of his death is an important reminder that sobriety is a continuous journey, not a fixed status, and that recovery is a fight and not a victory. "Self Care" is a heartbreaking look at Miller in one of his brilliant points and a reminder that we were fortunate to have him with us as long as we did in the first place.

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