He was signed to Pittsburgh-based Rostrum Records and released his debut album Blue Slide Park on November 8, 2011, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 despite being released completely independently. He released five studio albums in his lifetime, which all peaked in the top 5, along with a posthumous album titled "Circles" with help from producer Jon Brion and Miller's family.
In 2013, Miller released his second studio album, "Watching Movies With the Sound Off". The album featured artists such as Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler the Creator, Ab-Soul, and long-time friend Schoolboy Q. The album took a more personal approach compared to his previous works.
In 2014, Miller released the 24-track mixtape "Faces". Considered by many to be one of his best works, he explores themes of drug use, employing and featuring collaborators of Mac from his previous album, including Schoolboy Q and Earl Sweatshirt, but also sees new faces such as Rick Ross.
In 2015, Mac released his third studio album, "GO:OD AM", his first with new label Warner Records. The album featured a more energetic and vibrant theme than "Faces" and "Watching Movies With The Sound Off", reflecting a more optimistic, redemptive angle on his personal life, while maintaining elements of his introspective and thought-provoking style from earlier works.
In 2016, Miller released his fourth studio album, titled "The Divine Feminine". He explores themes of love and femininity, largely influenced by his relationship with Ariana Grande at the time and featuring appearances from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Anderson Paak.
In August 2018, following major events in Miller's life, including his breakup with Ariana Grande, with Miller's drug addiction alleged to be a contributing factor, as well as a car crash incident in which McCormick was charged with a DUI, Miller released his fifth and final studio album during his lifetime titled "Swimming". Continuing the dive into his personal life, Miller explores his heartfelt struggles and grief in the past, but remains optimistic for the future. Swimming was nominated for Best Rap Album posthumously at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Miller had struggled with substance abuse for a long time before his death. On September 7, 2018, he was found dead in his home in Los Angeles, California from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol, only a little over a month after the release of "Swimming". He was only 26 years old. McCormick was buried in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Miller's passing was largely unexpected and had a large impact on the hip-hop community as a whole, with many paying their respects to Miller. On October 31, 2018, a tribute concert, titled "Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life", featured renowned artists and many longtime collaborators of Miller including Travis Scott, Schoolboy Q, SZA, Chance the Rapper, and Earl Sweatshirt. The concert was a celebration of the late rapper's life and musical achievements, and all profits were donated to the Mac Miller Circles Fund, which provides young people from underprivileged backgrounds with opportunities to explore arts and music.
In January 2020, Miller's posthumous album titled "Circles", worked on in companionship with his album "Swimming", was announced on January 8 along with the single "Good News" and released later that month. Every track on the album was accompanied by a video of the same name, often with psychedelic imagery and images of Mac before his passing and throughout his life. With a more melancholic theme compared to his previous works, the album was well-received by fans and critics alike, renowned for the care placed in continuing Mac's artistic vision.
And, he did it all without a Drake feature.
Jump
Mac Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't hear nothing when I said my hello
Oh well, to hell then we go
So high looking at heaven below
You know me though from coast to coast for smoking dope
Overdose with the holy ghost but hold the phones
I hold my own, was local grown
Been killing that shit since row the boat
One more drank, I'mma be an alcoholic
I don't wanna think like better unconscious
Need fresh air that thing so toxic
I open coffin doors with a .38 when it's time for war
Told my mama you ain't need no drama
You ain't gotta cry no more
It'll be alright
My mind on the run I won't sleep tonight it's like
When it all goes up in flames who gon hold me down
And I'm the chosen one
Looking all around what has the world become
The only way to change it is to burn it to the ground
I've been getting paid
About four, five bitches in the Escalade, bet it rain
This money feel the same, I'm afraid that I'mma drown
You've never been better than me
From this prison I'm setting them free
Open eyes, I'mma let you see
This world is like our dreams
I'll throw it all away to celebrate one more holiday
I'm running to the edge
And when I get there best believe that I'mma jump
Jump, jump, to see if I can fly
I wonder if I jump
Do you think that I can fly
It's the life of an entertainer
I need that check go on get the waiter
Fuck a troll, this destruction mode
And these explosions don't need detonators
I met my maker in an elevator, he was headed to the top floor
We're quite similar, we just did our work and we were in it for a lot more
We were trying to change the world but we got bored
When I rip this show, got an encore
Back when we were still in school we didn't listen to the list of rules
Wrote a million words on the chalkboard
I don't need answers to the questions of intangibles
I told my homies the top so lonely but
We're not gonna die not now
You'll make it here, live free tonight till the day appear
Let's sit back right where we at and let this money pile
How do we get rich, if she acting crazy I don't need that bitch
Wish I knew back then all the things that I know now
Go on and on, know I had this shit all along
Take a breath, feel this moment hold it just so you can
Look where we at, look where we came from
When will we wake up, lost in translation
You've never been better than me
From this prison I'm setting them free
Open eyes, I'mma let you see
This world is like our dreams
I'll throw it all away to celebrate one more holiday
I'm running to the edge
And when I get there best believe that I'mma jump
Jump, jump, to see if I can fly
I wonder if I jump
Do you think that I can fly
The song "Jump" by Mac Miller has a reflective tone, with the singer pondering about his place in the world and contemplating what it takes to succeed in life. The first verse talks about the struggles in communication, with the singer not receiving any response on the phone. He then comments on his drug use and how it has affected his life, admitting he has been close to overdosing but still holds his ground. The chorus talks about feeling lost and alone but believing that everything will be alright. The second verse contains more introspection, with the singer discussing his career as an entertainer and the need for success. He seems to question the meaning of it all, wondering if it's worth it to burn everything down and start anew.
Overall, the lyrics can be interpreted as the struggle to find one's place in a world constantly changing and evolving. Mac Miller seems to be at a crossroads in his life, questioning whether his current path is the right one or whether he needs to make some drastic changes. Although he is feeling lost and alone, he ultimately believes that he can fly and that he just needs to take the leap of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that on the other end of the phone
Asking who's calling, but not receiving a response to the greeting
Didn't hear nothing when I said my hello
No audible response to the greeting
Oh well, to hell then we go
Proceeding without a response
So high looking at heaven below
Being in a state of elevated consciousness
You know me though from coast to coast for smoking dope
Being known for drug use throughout the USA
Overdose with the holy ghost but hold the phones
Misusing the Holy Spirit metaphor and advising someone to wait
I hold my own, was local grown
Being self-sufficient and locally grown
Been killing that shit since row the boat
Being successful for a long time
Know I'm supposed to hold the throne, be honest
Being aware of the expected success but questioning it
One more drank, I'mma be an alcoholic
Being aware of the potential for addiction
I don't wanna think like better unconscious
Disliking the thought of being unaware
Need fresh air that thing so toxic
Desiring to escape a toxic environment
I open coffin doors with a .38 when it's time for war
Using violent imagery for protection
Told my mama you ain't need no drama
Reassuring family members
You ain't gotta cry no more
Telling someone not to weep anymore
It'll be alright
An optimistic outlook
My mind on the run I won't sleep tonight it's like
Being unable to relax and sleep
When it all goes up in flames who gon hold me down
Questioning support during times of crisis
And I'm the chosen one
Feeling special and important
Looking all around what has the world become
Observing the state of society
The only way to change it is to burn it to the ground
Believing radical change is necessary
I've been getting paid
Boasting about financial success
About four, five bitches in the Escalade, bet it rain
Bringing multiple women to a gathering and suggesting it will end in sex
This money feel the same, I'm afraid that I'mma drown
Expressing anxiety about wealth
You've never been better than me
Claiming superiority over others
From this prison I'm setting them free
Becoming a liberator
Open eyes, I'mma let you see
Bringing clarity and enlightenment
This world is like our dreams
Drawing similarities between reality and dreams
I'll throw it all away to celebrate one more holiday
Being willing to do anything for a celebration
I'm running to the edge
Heading towards the limit
And when I get there best believe that I'mma jump
Exhibiting excitement and readiness to take a risk
Jump, jump, to see if I can fly
Using jumping as a metaphor for flying
I wonder if I jump
Expressing curiosity and wonder
Do you think that I can fly
Asking for an opinion about the potential to soar
It's the life of an entertainer
Describing the lifestyle of a performer
I need that check go on get the waiter
Asking someone to bring a paycheck
Fuck a troll, this destruction mode
Rejecting online trolls and embracing a destructive mindset
And these explosions don't need detonators
Being powerful enough to create explosions without tools
I met my maker in an elevator, he was headed to the top floor
Meeting God in a metaphorical elevator
We're quite similar, we just did our work and we were in it for a lot more
Being connected through shared work and ambition
We were trying to change the world but we got bored
Losing interest in changing the world
When I rip this show, got an encore
Expecting additional performances
Back when we were still in school we didn't listen to the list of rules
Disregarding authority figures in the past
Wrote a million words on the chalkboard
Leaving a heavy academic footprint
I don't need answers to the questions of intangibles
Preferring to ask unanswerable questions
I told my homies the top so lonely but
Sharing fears of loneliness
We're not gonna die not now
Refusing to give up or surrender
You'll make it here, live free tonight till the day appear
Encouraging someone to enjoy the moment before the day ends
Let's sit back right where we at and let this money pile
Encouraging the accumulation of wealth
How do we get rich, if she acting crazy I don't need that bitch
Questioning what it takes to become wealthy and dismissing problematic relationships
Wish I knew back then all the things that I know now
Regretting a lack of knowledge in the past
Go on and on, know I had this shit all along
Continuing to excel in present time
Take a breath, feel this moment hold it just so you can
Recognizing the significance of a momentary experience
Look where we at, look where we came from
Reflecting on the journey
When will we wake up, lost in translation
Questioning when awareness will occur
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy Kulousek, Malcolm James McCormick, Zachary Raymond Vaughan, Jonathan King, Eric Dan, Daniel Paul Johns, Harrison James Wargo, Dacoury Dahi Natche
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind