Kristina
SZA, the talented singer, recently took to social media to honor the late rapper Mac Miller after the release of his posthumous album Balloonerism. In her emotional tribute, SZA shared how Miller believed in her music even before she became famous, showing how much he supported her from the very beginning.
Mac Miller passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of music that touched millions of people. His family recently made the decision to release Balloonerism, an album he worked on during 2014, before his death. SZA, who is featured on one of the tracks, took a moment to express her gratitude for the support Miller showed her throughout her career.
On January 17, 2025, SZA posted a heartfelt message on the social media platform X, saying, “I love my friend, I miss my friend,” referring to Mac Miller. She continued, “Grateful he saw something in me before most and treated me with love from day one. Wish he could see how right about everything he truly was.” SZA went on to encourage her followers to listen to Balloonerism, urging them to “please go stream Balloonerism RIGHT NOW.”
The album’s release has been long awaited, and fans of Mac Miller were thrilled to finally hear it. In November 2024, Mac Miller’s estate had announced that the album would be available on January 17, 2025, through Warner Records. The project, which was created around the same time as his album Faces in 2014, was something that Mac had been very passionate about, but it had never been officially released. His family explained that the album was important to him and that he had made efforts to have artwork created for it, even discussing its release regularly.
However, as often happens in the music industry, other projects, like GO:OD AM and albums that came after it, took priority. The family said that although unofficial versions of Balloonerism had been circulating online for years, it was important to them to present an official version of the album to the world, as Mac had always wanted. The 14-track album includes only two features: one from SZA and another from Miller’s alter ego, Delusional Thomas. This unique collection of tracks shows off Mac’s wide-ranging talents and his fearlessness as an artist.
The decision to release the album was made to honor Mac’s wishes, as his family had always known how important the project was to him. The album showcases his creativity and dedication to his music, which was not limited by genre. It was recorded during the same time period when Mac was working on other projects like Watching Movies with the Sound Off, Delusional Thomas, and Faces, highlighting his determination to push the boundaries of his sound.
SZA’s relationship with Mac Miller goes back many years. They first met in 2014 and performed together at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles. At that time, Mac Miller was already a well-known name in the music industry, and SZA was still in the early stages of her career. Mac Miller took notice of her talent and produced two songs on her EP Z, which were “Ur” and “Warm Winds.” He was an early supporter of SZA’s music and believed in her potential.
In fact, during their collaboration in 2014, Mac Miller spoke highly of SZA, saying, “I don’t think this young lady knows how amazing she is.” Those words show just how much he believed in her, and SZA has always expressed her gratitude for the faith he had in her. His encouragement and kindness had a significant impact on her, and she never forgot it.
After Mac Miller’s tragic death in 2018, SZA continued to remember her friend fondly. She was part of a tribute concert that was held in his honor, where she performed alongside big names like Chance the Rapper, Travis Scott, and John Mayer. The concert was a celebration of Mac’s life and the impact he had on the music world.
On the second anniversary of his passing, SZA shared a tribute on social media, reflecting on her relationship with Mac Miller. She quoted Thundercat’s post and added her own message: “I love you both so much and miss my family every day. Thank you for allowing me in your space to discover myself and believing in me the entire time…I could never repay you.” These words show the deep connection SZA had with Mac and how much his belief in her meant throughout her journey in the music industry.
Mac Miller’s death left a hole in the music world, but his work continues to resonate with his fans. His family has done a great job of preserving his legacy by releasing music he was passionate about, like Balloonerism. The album serves as a reminder of Mac’s talent and the creativity he brought to his music. For SZA, it is also a way to honor a friend who was there for her when she needed it the most.
