Anderson .Paak released his long-awaited, 14-song album Oxnard on Friday, which includes a touching tribute to Mac Miller on the Q-Tip-assisted track “Cheers.”
.Paak makes specific mention of Miller in his first verse, “Wishin' I still had Mac wit' me/How do you tell a nigga slow it down when you livin' just as fast as 'em?”
Though .Paak and Miller only released one song together, the 2016 Divine Feminine cut “Dang,” they still managed to become very close. .Paak made a few tributes to Miller leading up to Oxnard, including an Instagram post a few days after Miller’s death on Sept. 7. Sharing a photo of himself and Miller smiling, .Paak wrote, “Almost tried to text you today. I miss my bro.”
.Paak also honored Miller in October during the BET Hip Hop Awards, where .Paak spoke on Miller’s status as a “legend.”
“Legends never die,” .Paak said. “And Mac Miller not was, but is a whole legend.”
The Oxnard artist said that the late rapper “did more in 26 years than some of y'all could do in three lifetimes.” .Paak continued by saying that Miller inspired him and a whole wave of others. “Mac Miller was a humble rockstar, he was a rapper's rapper, he was a[n] actor, a comedian, a musical genius [...] Mac Miller was a brother, he was my friend,” .Paak said. “I loved him and I still love him.”
On Halloween, .Paak performed at Miller’s tribute concert, titled Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life, which benefited the newly launched Mac Miller Circles Fund that supports youth arts and community-building programs through the Pittsburgh Foundation.
In support of Oxnard, .Paak will host the Andy’s Oxnard Carnival—a family-friendly event that will include rides, games, and free food. The carnival will take place from 2-6 p.m. this Saturday at the Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center.
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Miller passed away about one month after he released his fifth studio album, Swimming.
