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.
Perfecto
Mac Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Well it ain't perfect but I don't mind
Because it's worth it
Who really has the time at all
It ain't perfect but I don't mind 'cause on the surface I look so fine
Yeah, as hard as it gets, cool, calm and collected
Holdin' my breath this, ain't what I expected
Don't argue to death, pull my heart out of my chest
The cards is all on the table I'm callin' it
Don't say it I swallow it
When livin' off of borrowed time
Often I'm on the fence on a line
Addin' up what's on my mind
My feet on the clouds, head on the ground
That we goin' down, bet you know me now
I'm treading water I swear
That if I drown I don't care
They callin' for me from the shore, I need more
Well it ain't perfect but I don't mind
Because it's workin' (is it?, is it?, is it?, is it?, is it?)
Who really has the time at all (is it?, is it?, is it?, is it?, is it?)
It ain't perfect but I don't mind 'cause on the surface I look so fine
But really I'm buggin' buggin' makin' something out of nothing
It feel like the weekend on the Tuesday
I can move days
It's "I got something else to do" day
Always do hate, if I do say
The D'USSE with the homies like it's Kool Aid
Me, I'm just tryna play it cool J (anyways)
Yeah, mind over matter I'm
Purer than alkaline
Bitch stuck on album time
I gotta get out to shine
Fly on the wall, shit I was buggin'
Miss me like you gettin' withdrawal I keep that coming, yeah
I'm treading water I know
If I start movin' I flow
Ain't nothin' new it
Just play it cool baby, just play it cool
You know, cool
Well it ain't perfect but I don't mind
Because it's workin'
Who really has the time, at all
It ain't perfect but I don't mind 'cause on the surface I look so fine
But really I'm buggin' buggin' makin' something out of nothing
Yeah, tell me you love me spin me around
Pretty please pick me up in the air and don't put me down
Seen it all unfold, sat back and watched
Knowin' time don't give a fuck about clocks until they stop
Bare feet, runnin' late, her car is started
Even though the only thing that she driving, a hard bargain
More important is I'm kinda sorta out the door but
She put me back together when I'm out of order
Perfect
In Mac Miller's "Perfecto," the rapper discusses his thoughts on the idea of perfection and how it relates to his life. The song starts with the repetition of “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” which creates a catchy rhythm and introduces the lyrics that follow. The chorus emphasizes the main concept of the song, which is that life isn't perfect but that's okay because it's worth it, and no one has the time for perfection, anyway. He admits that even though on the surface, he looks fine, he is still "buggin' buggin' making something out of nothing."
In the verses, Miller elaborates on how he deals with difficult situations. He mentions "cool, calm and collected," which can refer to his approach to problem-solving. However, he still admits that life is not what he expected and that his heart is often pulled out of his chest when arguing with someone. Miller also talks about how he tries to balance his life when everything feels like it’s going south, and he is barely able to keep his head above water. The song ends with Miller reminiscing about a relationship and how the person he was with helped him when he was out of order, which could be a metaphor for how he handles life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it ain't perfect but I don't mind
Despite imperfections, I am content with the situation at hand
Because it's worth it
The situation holds enough value to outweigh its flaws
Who really has the time at all
No one truly has enough time to focus on small details
On the surface I look so fine
My exterior gives off the impression that everything is okay
But really I'm buggin' buggin' makin' something out of nothing
Internally I am anxious and overthinking, creating issues where there are none
As hard as it gets, cool, calm and collected
Even in difficult situations, I remain composed and in control
Holdin' my breath this, ain't what I expected
I am surprised and caught off guard by the current circumstances
Don't argue to death, pull my heart out of my chest
I avoid fighting till the bitter end by empathizing with the other person's feelings
The cards is all on the table I'm callin' it
I am making a decisive decision based on all available information
Don't say it I swallow it
Rather than saying something hurtful, I hold back and internalize my emotions
Often I'm on the fence on a line
I am often indecisive, unsure of which path to take
Addin' up what's on my mind
I am reflecting on my thoughts and emotions, trying to make sense of them
My feet on the clouds, head on the ground
I feel both excited and overwhelmed by the situation
That we goin' down, bet you know me now
This situation is taking a turn for the worse, and I am being exposed for who I truly am
I'm treading water I swear
I am struggling and just barely able to keep afloat
That if I drown I don't care
If I fail in this situation, I am okay with the consequences
They callin' for me from the shore, I need more
Others are trying to help me, but I need more than what they can offer
It feel like the weekend on the Tuesday
The situation has me feeling relaxed and carefree, as if it were a weekend
I can move days
I have the power to make the most of every day, no matter what it brings
It's 'I got something else to do' day
I am busy and have many other obligations
Always do hate, if I do say
Others are envious of my current situation
The D'USSE with the homies like it's Kool Aid
I am casually drinking with my friends, as if it were a normal day
Me, I'm just tryna play it cool J (anyways)
I am trying to remain calm and collected, regardless of the situation
Yeah, mind over matter I'm
I am choosing to prioritize my mental state over physical needs
Purer than alkaline
I am genuine and authentic, prioritizing my true self over the opinions of others
Bitch stuck on album time
Others are fixated on my past work and not seeing the current situation for what it is
I gotta get out to shine
I need to escape the current situation in order to shine and be successful
Fly on the wall, shit I was buggin'
I was feeling insecure and anxious while just observing from the sidelines
Miss me like you gettin' withdrawal I keep that coming, yeah
Others miss my presence and are craving my unique personality in any situation
I'm treading water I know
I am fully aware that I am just barely keeping up with the situation
If I start movin' I flow
If I begin actively participating in the situation, I will be successful
Ain't nothin' new it
This feeling of being overwhelmed is something I have experienced before
Just play it cool baby, just play it cool
I should remain calm and collected, playing it cool despite any difficult circumstances
Yeah, tell me you love me spin me around
I crave affection and positive attention to help me feel better
Pretty please pick me up in the air and don't put me down
I want to feel loved and supported, lifted up and not brought down by others
Seen it all unfold, sat back and watched
I have observed the situation and the people involved, but have not actively participated
Knowin' time don't give a fuck about clocks until they stop
Time is fleeting and can pass by quickly, without regard for our schedules or plans
Bare feet, runnin' late, her car is started
She is rushing and unprepared, starting her car and leaving in a hurry
Even though the only thing that she driving, a hard bargain
Despite being unprepared, she is still in control of the situation and will not be easily swayed
More important is I'm kinda sorta out the door but
While I am partially invested in the situation, I am ready to move on
She put me back together when I'm out of order
She is there for me and helps me feel better when I am feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts
Perfect
Despite its imperfections, the situation is still perfect in its own unique way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jon Brion, Malcolm James McCormick, Terry Kevontay Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind