“Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” was a truly spiritual, surreal and fun ride last night in Los Angeles, CA. Many of the artists who loved the late, great Mac Miller came to perform, not to just honor his memory but to support a great charity, The Mac Miller Circles Fund, which is dedicated to youth arts.
Ty Dolla $ign brought out his guitar, started his short set on the stage and ended up in the crowd providing one of the night's highlight. The long haired hit-maker played Mac-collab, “Cinderella.” Standing at the mic, playing the guitar, Dollar $ign serenaded the crowd:
“I been waiting' all night for this moment,” he sang. “I been waiting' all year for this moment./ I been picturing you takin' off your clothes for me./ I been literally curvin' all these hoes for you./ Daddy told you, better bring your ass home./ Cinderella better get your ass home./ Man I swear the parents just don't understand./ You ain't gotta be old to be a man.”
“I’m sure all my Mac fans are gonna appreciate this,” he told the crowd. “How many of y’all got that Kids?
Chevy Woods then came out for his part on “Paper Route” from the classic mixtape.
Ty Dolla took to the crowd, literally, afterward. He went into the seats performing “Blasé,” which he told the audience was a Mac favorite.
Earlier in the night, Domo Genesis came out for “Coming Back.” The unabashed MC spit his cutting rhymes on the record.
“It's a cold world baby, but I'm a cold n****,” he proclaimed. “Frostbite tryna take a chew of how I slither./ My presence give 'em chills, like an Antarctica winter
And I'm banging Inglewood till I'm getting caught with a splinter./ I'm having artists for dinner./ So many fall apart when I spark it's hard to remember.”
“I love my brother,” he told the spectators. “I hate it had to be under these circumstances but I want to celebrate his life.”
Action Bronson moseyed onstage extra slowly during his set, smoking. It was a very sobering moment as they let the music to Mac’s “Red Dot Music” play.
“Think I can see a f***ing halo, about to meet my maker,” Miller voice oozed through the speakers. “Brought a double cup of Drano, some soda for the flavor./ Uncontrollable behavior with some psychopathic tendencies./ Lonely as your neighbors with the bitches./ He got special needs./ Word to my denim fiends, I'm Kennedy on ecstasy./My flavor from the nature, need an acre for my recipe.”
“I said it must be the drugs that got us thinking crazy shit,” Bronson and the fans sang along on the chorus. “Groupie bitches wild enough to suck a baby's dick./ Cadillacs is getting whipped a hundred eighty fifth./ Just for that sizzle, Gore-Tex in case of drizzle.”
Throughout the night, videos played from portions of Mac’s life. They showed time he spent in LA, with building thoughts by Rick Rubin. There was a heartfelt tribute video where many of his friends gave stories and gems from their time with Miller. Pharrell Williams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Donald Glover, DJ Premier, Joey Badass, A$AP Ferg, and Karl Anthony Towns were among those who paid homage.
Anderson .Paak followed with his own live testimonial, telling how humble his friend was.
“Mac Miller never took himself too seriously,” he said. “He was one of the dopest out and not afraid to say ‘you’re dope too; come with me.” Paak then got on the drums and he sang his Miller collaboration.
“I can't keep on losing you, over complications” Paak smoothly crooned. “Gone too soon, wait! We was just hangin'./ I can't seem to hold onto, dang
The people that know me best./ The key that I won't forget, too soon./ I can't keep on losing you, you, you, you, you, you./ I can't keep on losing you, you, you, you, you, you.”
Wow. Those words resonated so loudly, penetrated so precisely. It still seems surreal that the young hip-hop great is no longer with us. Miller, born Maclcom McCormick, died just a few weeks ago on September 7 from a drug overdose. And while his family, friends and fans are still mourning, this Halloween night was a beautiful homegoing celebration. No sadness, just a celebration and remembrance of all the joy he brought. LiveXLive.com is honored to have been part of this unforgettable event.