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

Stock Market: Dow Drops Nearly 650 Points Anticipating Trump’s Tariffs

DON'T MISS

Trump Hits ‘Pause’ on US Aid to Ukraine After Oval Dustup, Pressuring Zelenskyy on Russia Talks

DON'T MISS

Clovis Businessman Admits to Committing $800K Bank Theft

DON'T MISS

Fresno Sikh Temple Wants a 75-Foot Flagpole. City Says No.

DON'T MISS

Clovis Schools Nab Titles in State High School Wrestling Championships

DON'T MISS

March Starts Out Wet. Is More Rain on the Way to Fresno?

DON'T MISS

Trump Announces Chipmaker TSMC to Spend $100B to Expand Chip Manufacturing in US

DON'T MISS

Residents Voice Opposition to Merced County Solar and Battery Project

DON'T MISS

Democrats Invite Fired Federal Workers to Trump’s Congressional Address

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Fire Leads to Death and Injury. Deputies Suspect Foul Play.

UP NEXT

Swede Fest is Back in Town and Calling Filmmakers Young and Old

UP NEXT

Grammy-Nominated R&B Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Crash

UP NEXT

Traveling Solo: Airlines and Tech Make It Easier Than Ever

UP NEXT

Worried About Your Blood Sugar? 10 Easy Ways to Keep It in Check

UP NEXT

These Little-Known Bank Accounts Allow Americans With Disabilities to Save and Invest

UP NEXT

What We Know About Gene Hackman’s Death

UP NEXT

Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa May Have Been Dead for Days or Weeks, Sheriff Says

UP NEXT

‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ to Leap to Streaming

UP NEXT

How to Practice Healthy Fasting During Ramadan

UP NEXT

Gene Hackman Was One of the 20th Century’s Greatest Actors. Here’s a List of His Notable Films

Fresno Sikh Temple Wants a 75-Foot Flagpole. City Says No.

11 hours ago

Clovis Schools Nab Titles in State High School Wrestling Championships

12 hours ago

March Starts Out Wet. Is More Rain on the Way to Fresno?

12 hours ago

Trump Announces Chipmaker TSMC to Spend $100B to Expand Chip Manufacturing in US

12 hours ago

Residents Voice Opposition to Merced County Solar and Battery Project

13 hours ago

Democrats Invite Fired Federal Workers to Trump’s Congressional Address

14 hours ago

Fresno County Fire Leads to Death and Injury. Deputies Suspect Foul Play.

14 hours ago

Trump Says 25% Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian Imports Will Start Tuesday

14 hours ago

Troubled Fresno State Basketball Team Loses 11th Straight Game

15 hours ago

Rep. Costa Says DOGE Is Making ‘Hasty,’ Uninformed Decisions

15 hours ago

Stock Market: Dow Drops Nearly 650 Points Anticipating Trump’s Tariffs

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks tumbled Monday and wiped out even more of their gains since President Donald Trump ’s election in November, after he ...

10 hours ago

10 hours ago

Stock Market: Dow Drops Nearly 650 Points Anticipating Trump’s Tariffs

President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov)
10 hours ago

Trump Hits ‘Pause’ on US Aid to Ukraine After Oval Dustup, Pressuring Zelenskyy on Russia Talks

10 hours ago

Clovis Businessman Admits to Committing $800K Bank Theft

11 hours ago

Fresno Sikh Temple Wants a 75-Foot Flagpole. City Says No.

12 hours ago

Clovis Schools Nab Titles in State High School Wrestling Championships

12 hours ago

March Starts Out Wet. Is More Rain on the Way to Fresno?

President Donald Trump walks before talking with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP/Ben Curtis)
12 hours ago

Trump Announces Chipmaker TSMC to Spend $100B to Expand Chip Manufacturing in US

Merced County Planning Commission
13 hours ago

Residents Voice Opposition to Merced County Solar and Battery Project

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

Search

Send this to a friend