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.
What's the Use?
Mac Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say you're nothing without it
Don't let them keep you down
What if I don't need it? There's something about it
That just freaks me out
I just want another minute with it, fuck a little, what's the use?
Never superficial you gon' know it when it hit you
Get a little sentimental when I'm off the juice
Yeah, okay we colder than the breeze
But the breeze ain't flowin' like me, motherfucker, hol' up
You don't need to hol' up, yeah
And I can show you how it seem, what it is, what it truly might be
Nothing that you know of, you don't need to hol' up
I'm so above and beyond you, take drugs to make it up
Way up where we on, space shuttle, Elon
Time we don't waste much, fuck and we wake up
Then I have her sing just like Céline Dion
Catch me if you can but, you'll never catch me, damn
Whole lotta, "yes, I am"
All the way in with no exit plan
Already left and the jet don't land
Yeah, the time is ticking
Come take a ride, get inside, this is highly different
I'm talking fly, got the pilot with me
Can I mind my business? Why you trippin'?
Give you somethin' that your eyes can witness
Ooh, too close
I don't understand why you doing the most (ooh)
You can love it, you can leave it
They'll say you're nothing without it
Don't let them keep you down
What if I don't need it? There's something about it
That just freaks me out
I just want another minute with it, fuck a little
What's the use? (what's the use?)
Never superficial, you gon' know it when it hit you
Get a little sentimental when I'm off the juice (turn it up)
Well, I'ma give you what you came for, yeah
Shit, I've worked too hard to have a clue who you are
Set the bar so far above par, we can parlay all day
Crib long range with the yard
I know I should probably pray more, but you gotta love me
'Cause I save the day, spend money
When I had nothing, shit, it wasn't so funny
Made a promise to the homies, nobody'd go hungry
Look how far we came, still they throwin' dirt on my name
But it never worried my brain
Heads turnin' like a hurricane swervin'
Tell the sun, get up outta my shade
They don't get the picture, cut 'em out of my frame, shit
I'm up 30 thou miles plus change
It's been a while but I'm down 'til I'm out
And it is what it is 'til it ain't
Ooh, oh, oh
I just wanna fly, ah
You can love it, you can leave it
And say you're nothing without it
Don't let them keep you down
What if I don't need it? There's something about it
That just freaks me out
I just want another minute with it, fuck a little
What's the use? (what's the use?)
Never superficial, you don't know it when it hit you
Get a little sentimental when I'm off the juice (ooh)
You can love it
It just freaks me out
The song "What's the Use?" by Mac Miller is about the struggle of being dependent on drugs and the illusions that they can bring to people. The lyrics address the issue of society's expectation for people to be dependent on drugs and afraid to leave it, but he questions whether he needs it in his life. He raps about his desire to experience life beyond drugs and alcohol, and to feel sentimental and emotional without the influence of substances. The song also explores the idea of the high life, where there is no need to worry about anything and everything is taken care of. Mac Miller expresses the desire to escape the pressures of the fast-paced lifestyle and the need to be constantly on the move.
The chorus of the song reflects the internal conflict that Miller is experiencing with regards to his addiction. He questions whether he needs drugs to feel alive, or if it is just a societal expectation that has been imposed upon him. He expresses his desire to have another minute with it, but he is also skeptical of the entire situation, saying that it freaks him out. Miller understands that dependency is an illusion that is created by external factors, and he aims to break free from that through this song.
In conclusion, the song “What’s the Use?” by Mac Miller explores the confusion and desire for escape that comes with dependency, the societal expectations that come with it, and the hope for a life beyond it.
Line by Line Meaning
You can love it, you can leave it
You have the choice to either love or leave it, referring to a certain aspect of life.
They say you're nothing without it
Society often claims that you are not valued if you do not have that certain aspect of life.
Don't let them keep you down
Do not allow societal standards to suppress your true desires.
What if I don't need it? There's something about it
That just freaks me out
The idea of conforming to societal expectations causes anxiety, as there is something that does not sit right about it.
I just want another minute with it, fuck a little, what's the use?
The artist wants to indulge in whatever they desire, even if it is of little importance in the grand scheme of things, as life is short and should be enjoyed.
Never superficial you gon' know it when it hit you
The singer is authentic and genuine, and their true nature will become apparent to others eventually.
Get a little sentimental when I'm off the juice
When the singer is no longer under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they become more emotional and nostalgic.
Yeah, okay we colder than the breeze
But the breeze ain't flowin' like me, motherfucker, hol' up
The artist is confident in their unique style and ability to outshine others.
You don't need to hol' up, yeah
And I can show you how it seem, what it is, what it truly might be
The artist does not need anyone to pause or wait, and they can show others their perspective and interpretation of life.
Nothing that you know of, you don't need to hol' up
I'm so above and beyond you, take drugs to make it up
The artist is beyond the comprehension of others, who resort to drugs to try to catch up.
Way up where we on, space shuttle, Elon
Time we don't waste much, fuck and we wake up
Then I have her sing just like Céline Dion
The singer and their partner are living life at a high level, with little time to waste, and he wants her to sing beautifully like Céline Dion.
Catch me if you can but, you'll never catch me, damn
Whole lotta, "yes, I am"
All the way in with no exit plan
Already left and the jet don't land
The artist is uncatchable, unapologetically confident, and fully committed to their current path in life with no plans to change course.
Yeah, the time is ticking
Come take a ride, get inside, this is highly different
I'm talking fly, got the pilot with me
Can I mind my business? Why you trippin'?
Time is fleeting, so the singer invites others to come along and experience something new and exciting. They have someone skilled at the helm, and they question why others are questioning their motives.
Give you somethin' that your eyes can witness
Ooh, too close
I don't understand why you doing the most (ooh)
The singer will give others something awe-inspiring, but they do not understand why others are getting too close and being excessive in their behavior.
Well, I'ma give you what you came for, yeah
Shit, I've worked too hard to have a clue who you are
The singer will provide what others want, but they do not have time or desire to invest in getting to know those individuals.
Set the bar so far above par, we can parlay all day
Crib long range with the yard
I know I should probably pray more, but you gotta love me
'Cause I save the day, spend money
The artist has high standards that surpass others, with a luxurious lifestyle that reflects their success. They acknowledge the need for spirituality but feel that their wealth and success should speak for them.
When I had nothing, shit, it wasn't so funny
Made a promise to the homies, nobody'd go hungry
Look how far we came, still they throwin' dirt on my name
But it never worried my brain
The artist faced hardships and poverty in the past but made a promise to help his friends. Despite their success and accomplishments, some people still look down on him, but he is not fazed by it.
Heads turnin' like a hurricane swervin'
Tell the sun, get up outta my shade
They don't get the picture, cut 'em out of my frame, shit
I'm up 30 thou miles plus change
The singer is attracting attention, telling the sun to move away from them. They will cut out anyone who cannot see their vision, and they have traveled over 30,000 miles and changed their perspective.
It's been a while but I'm down 'til I'm out
And it is what it is 'til it ain't
The singer has been loyal for a long time and will remain so until the end. Life is what it currently is until it changes.
Ooh, oh, oh
I just wanna fly, ah
The artist desires to live life to the fullest and experience new things, like flying.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Calvin Cordazor Broadus, Damon Garrett Riddick, David Brian Pimentel, Malcolm James Mccormick, Stephen Lee Bruner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@krishnajawda2443
That bassline
@joaofigueiredo3048
Thundercat baby
@elektrofunkzz
@EndofMusic where is this sampled from? I recognize the notes but can't put my finger on it
@giantiri
@EndofMusic completely different groove....
Just few notes similar, as it happens always and everywhere in Music , but that "feeling" , at the end of the lick, And The fills he puts everywhere... well its totally THUNDERCATerous!!
@whosmansisthis1894
krishna jawda groovy ass hell!!!!
@doctordistracto8390
I feel like you're thinking of the guitar part to short skirt, then also this still doesn't really sound like that either.
@cglample4066
Mac is like a fine wine, he only gets better with time.
@xxx9208
cglample what a rhyme
@valerie-or6qi
you said it
@ednabona7869
ikrr