Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Mac Miller Benefit Features Chance, SZA, and John Mayer
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
November 1, 2018

Share

LOS ANGELES — Travis Scott pointed toward an image of a toothless Mac Miller as a child recognizing the late rapper as a good-spirited person whose “soul will live forever.”

“Thank you for the music you made, the opportunities you provided me with, but overall the friendships you built.” — Chance the Rapper

Scott’s performance and closing remarks came after other music performers including Chance the Rapper, SZA and John Mayer took the stage Wednesday night to remember Miller’s life and career during the “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” benefit concert at a packed Greek Theater in Los Angeles. The concert launched the Mac Miller Circles Fund in honor of the hip-hop star and raised money for arts education in underserved communities.

Throughout the show, many spoke highly of Miller and remembered him for being a funny person who smiled all the time even while he rapped. They called his music “fearless.”

“Thank you for the music you made, the opportunities you provided me with, but overall the friendships you built,” said Chance the Rapper, the Grammy Award-winning rapper, who performed the inspirational “Blessings” and “No Problem.”

“I met some of my friends through you,” the rapper added. “God bless you and your family, and this foundation.”

Cause of Death Has Not yet Been Announced

Miller was declared dead after paramedics found the 26-year-old hip-hop star unresponsive in his home on Sept. 7. The cause of death has not yet been announced after an autopsy was performed.

Miller’s rap lyrics often dealt with his depression and drug use over the years. He released his fifth album, “Swimming” in August. The rapper earned a wealth of respect from his musical peers and hip-hop greats including Jay Z and Chance the Rapper, and had an assortment of collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne and Ty Dolla $ign.

“If there’s no Mac Miller, there is no me,” said singer SZA, who performed “Weekend” and “Love Galore.”

Miller drew headlines for his two-year relationship with singer Ariana Grande that ended earlier this year. He and the singer collaborated on her first Top 10 hit, the multiplatinum, “The Way,” which propelled her from teen TV stardom to pop star.

Grande wasn’t in attendance at the concert.

A Strong Following on Streaming Networks

Even though Miller did not have his own song enter Top 40 radio, his popularity translated into a strong following on streaming networks. His debut album “Blue Side Park” went No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.

Ty Dolla $ign, Anderson Paak, Vince Staples, Miguel, Action Bronson each paid homage performing songs that featured them with Miller. ScHoolboy Q said he wrote his hit single “That Part” while Miller sat with him in the studio.

Rae Sremmurd and Juicy J made surprise performances.

Some concertgoers, who showed up sporting their Halloween costumes, cheered “We love you, Mac Miller!!!” throughout the show.

During short breaks, flashback video clips were shown of Miller as an infant, child and adult along with several behind-the scene looks of him doing freestyle raps, performing in front of packed concerts, making jokes and him often playing the piano. As each artist took the stage, a variety of photos of Miller were on display behind them.

A Collection of Heartfelt and Comical Video Messages Were Delivered

A collection of heartfelt and comical video messages were delivered from Pharrell, Donald Glover, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Pusha T, G-Eazy, and Tyler, the Creator. Actor Jason Sudeikis and NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns also offered messages via video.

“Man, I’ve been thinking about you a lot, like almost every day, at least once. Does that mean I love you? Maybe. No, c’mon man. Of course I do.” — Jason Sudeikis, actor 

“Man, I’ve been thinking about you a lot, like almost every day, at least once,” said Sudeikis of Miller. “Does that mean I love you? Maybe. No, c’mon man. Of course I do.”

There was also a moment of silence for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that left 11 dead and six wounded. Miller was a native of Pittsburgh.

After the show wrapped up, all the performers gathered on stage and watched a video montage of Miller. After it finished, the rapper’s mother, Karen Meyers, walked on stage, shook their hands and gave them a hug.

Meyers didn’t speak but everyone else’s remembrance of her son spoke volumes. “He will be missed,” Paak said. “He will never be forgotten.”

DON'T MISS

Meux Home, Once Questioned by City Council, Now Honored

DON'T MISS

Kings County Sheriff Says Arrested Homicide/Kidnapping Suspect Had Fled to Mexico

DON'T MISS

Man Rescued After Falling 25 Feet Into Drainage Pipe in Fresno

DON'T MISS

Has Fresno Unified Finally Planted the Flag for an Academic Revolution?

DON'T MISS

Italy Blocks Access to Chinese AI Application DeepSeek to Protect Users’ Data

DON'T MISS

What’s In a School Name? Central Trustees Opt Not to Seek Communitywide Input This Time

DON'T MISS

Super Bowl 2025: Time, Channel, Halftime Show, How to Watch Chiefs vs. Eagles Livestream

DON'T MISS

Collision Between Helicopter and Jetliner Kills 67 in Nation’s Worst Air Disaster in a Generation

DON'T MISS

World Champion Russian Skaters on American Airlines Jet Built a New Life as Coaches in the US

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Confirms Two Flu Deaths While Nationwide Stats Rise

UP NEXT

FireAid, a Benefit for LA Wildfire Relief, Is Almost Here. Here’s How to Watch and Donate

UP NEXT

The Brothers Brawl: Jake Paul to Fight Logan Paul in March

UP NEXT

‘Between Borders’ Tugs Fresno’s Heartstrings at Sold-Out Premiere

UP NEXT

Critically Acclaimed Film ‘Between Borders’ Premieres in Fresno

UP NEXT

SZA to Join Kendrick Lamar as a Guest During Super Bowl Halftime Performance

UP NEXT

Oscar Nominations Snubs and Surprises, From Daniel Craig to Selena Gomez

UP NEXT

Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen Lead the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Award Nominations

UP NEXT

Americans Say It’s Harder to ‘Make It’ Financially Than Ever Before

UP NEXT

The Top 24 Most Anticipated Movie Blockbusters of 2025

UP NEXT

Nintendo’s New Switch 2 Console Will Come Out in 2025

Has Fresno Unified Finally Planted the Flag for an Academic Revolution?

2 hours ago

Italy Blocks Access to Chinese AI Application DeepSeek to Protect Users’ Data

3 hours ago

What’s In a School Name? Central Trustees Opt Not to Seek Communitywide Input This Time

3 hours ago

Super Bowl 2025: Time, Channel, Halftime Show, How to Watch Chiefs vs. Eagles Livestream

3 hours ago

Collision Between Helicopter and Jetliner Kills 67 in Nation’s Worst Air Disaster in a Generation

3 hours ago

World Champion Russian Skaters on American Airlines Jet Built a New Life as Coaches in the US

3 hours ago

Fresno County Confirms Two Flu Deaths While Nationwide Stats Rise

3 hours ago

Kings County Children Found After Amber Alert Issued, Suspect in Custody

5 hours ago

Amazon Sues to Block Release of Trade Secrets to Washington Post

5 hours ago

President Trump Blames DEI and Biden for Crash Under Trump’s Watch

6 hours ago

Meux Home, Once Questioned by City Council, Now Honored

More than four years ago, the Fresno City Council considered changing the name of the city-owned Meux Home, because of Dr. Thomas Meux’...

30 minutes ago

30 minutes ago

Meux Home, Once Questioned by City Council, Now Honored

A 19-year-old Hanford resident is in stable condition after being shot in the Santa Rosa Rancheria early Thursday, and a juvenile male suspect, wanted for a prior homicide, was arrested with a loaded handgun. (Kings County SO)
58 minutes ago

Kings County Sheriff Says Arrested Homicide/Kidnapping Suspect Had Fled to Mexico

Fresno fire saves a man who fell down a 25 foot drainage pipe on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Fresno FD)
1 hour ago

Man Rescued After Falling 25 Feet Into Drainage Pipe in Fresno

2 hours ago

Has Fresno Unified Finally Planted the Flag for an Academic Revolution?

3 hours ago

Italy Blocks Access to Chinese AI Application DeepSeek to Protect Users’ Data

3 hours ago

What’s In a School Name? Central Trustees Opt Not to Seek Communitywide Input This Time

3 hours ago

Super Bowl 2025: Time, Channel, Halftime Show, How to Watch Chiefs vs. Eagles Livestream

3 hours ago

Collision Between Helicopter and Jetliner Kills 67 in Nation’s Worst Air Disaster in a Generation

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend