Mac Miller’s album ‘Faces’ capstones his remarkable legacy

Photo by NRK P3

Mac Miller performing at a concert in Norway in 2012.

When the announcement of late rapper Mac Miller’s album “Faces” circulated online recently, a wave of nostalgia was natural. The album, which was a repurposing of his mixtape of the same name in 2014, included a few extra tracks and was officially released to streaming platforms on Oct. 15 after seven years of dormancy.

Miller’s death, due to an accidental drug overdose in September 2018, sparked a tsunami of regret and mourning for the loss of one of the most diverse and honest rappers in the music industry. His music, which was marked by lamenting beats and pensive lyrics, became a treasure to those interested in rap and revolutionized the emotional power that the genre is capable of.

Miller’s musical career maintains its roots in his hometown, Pittsburgh, where he began singing and teaching himself how to play instruments from age 6 on. His commitment and love for music would remain unwavering until his death at age 26. 

Miller stylized his music around the lifestyle of the Pittsburgh ghettos. His talent has always been jeopardized by his long addiction to drugs, and while his addiction eventually bested him, it enabled him to produce a dark but ultimately cathartic album like “Faces.”

The album does an excellent job living up to his legacy. While the majority of it was produced before his death and was only just released to streaming platforms, its themes and messages reach a new height after his death. The album’s quiet and introspective lyrics question his significance in the increasingly more materialistic music industry, faceting his continuing ability to be one of the most powerful storytellers in the rap scene.

Compared to mainstream rap music, which is typically volatile and invasive, “Faces” incorporates an usual  instrumental style. It’s signatured by an andante, consistent rhythm, a cleanly simple but complex array of instruments and exceptional flow between Miller’s rapping and the thoughtfully crafted beats.

Lyrically, it is amplified even further due to his death, giving it an extremely distinctive “it’s the last day” mood, which is trademarked by its wistful but prospecting sounds and his carefully tired speech.

Miller’s album is not monotone, though. The album features songs that can satisfy any listener. Songs like “Insomniak” cement his ability to be ferocious in message and tempo. Tracks like “Funeral” slow it down a notch and unpack Miller’s intricate understanding of himself and his issues, spare of the materialism prevalent in today’s rap.

Other songs like “Diablo” and “Ave Maria” exemplify Miller’s excellent taste and ability to create a catchy but moody beat, hooking new listeners easily to the core introspective message that signifies the album’s identity: cold, unadulterated realism.

Miller’s honesty and transparency as an artist come together perfectly in “Faces.” Every song, especially songs like “Happy Birthday” and “Polo Jeans,” treat listeners with a painfully realistic scope of his modest upbringing. It forges a relatable bond with his listeners, who typically find it difficult to connect to the impressive lifestyle that mainstream rap is inundated with.

Despite Miller’s passing, “Faces” serves as a reminder of how music can deliver a powerful message, especially in a diverse scene like rap. 

Miller’s legacy will only continue to blossom thanks to the foundation created in his legacy by his family and close friends. The foundation, known as the Mac Miller Fund, aims to educate adolescents on the dangers of drug usage and provide young artists the tools to fully utilize their talent through music workshops and the like. The crown of rap will always shine in a certain angle of the spotlight with the jewel of Miller, whose piercing messages and the care in his craft places him on his own throne.