Joseph Guzman
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Roughly a year ago, there was a ripple in the hiphop community and pop culture in general. On September 7, 2018, The “Blue Slide Park” rapper Mac Miller died at age 26 to an overdose. NBC news reported that it was later revealed by the Central District of California court “[The Court] alleges that Cameron James Pettit, 28, supplied Miller with counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Miller had asked to be furnished with ‘percs,’ an abbreviation for percocet, a prescribed painkiller containing oxycodone.”
It was also stated by NBC that “Investigators, who served search warrants at multiple locations, recovered a plastic bag containing pills allegedly supplied by a prostitute and a madam. Two days earlier, Pettit delivered to Miller counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl, cocaine and Xanax.”
On Friday, April 28, 2017, Mac Miller performed at Keene State College’s annual Spring Concert. Former Equinox Photo Editor and KSC alum Luke Stergiou talked about seeing Miller in concert his sophomore year. “So I went to the concert, but I experienced it a little differently. I photographed the concert for Social Activities Council, and it was such a cool experience. I’ve never seen an artist as big as him perform live before, and he just owned the stage. He seemed so comfortable and in his element on stage, it was hard not to enjoy it. Even if you didn’t listen to him previously [very much], by the time the concert was done you were a fan. His persona and music were infectious. Plus he was so photogenic and the photos of him were so effortlessly beautiful,” said Stergiou.
Current sophomore Jared Avery said, “I used to listen to a lot of Mac when I was in middle school, and also during my early highschool years. Now, he is a regular in my playlist. Mac Miller had a pretty big impact on my life… his music really speaks to me.” Avery mentioned his favorite song by Miller is “Self Care” and his favorite album by him is the fourth mixtape which was released on August 13, 2010, called “K.I.D.S (Kickin’ Incredibly Dope S—).”
Sophomore Aaron Johnson is another fan of Miller who has an experience with his music. “I listened to his music before he died but, after his death I seem to be listening to it even more. He had a pretty large impact on me, his message was so real and down to earth. It was really easy to connect with and always from the heart,” said Johnson. Johnson said that his favorite song by Miller is “Perfect Circle/God Speed” off his 2015 album “GO:OD AM.” Johnson also said, “Pretty much the whole song of ‘Self Care’ has a different meaning now that he’s gone.”
All three of the interviewees came to a similar conclusion about what can be learned from Miller’s death. Stergiou said, “My biggest takeaway from his death is that drug addiction should always be taken seriously. That we should always make sure to check in on the ones we love because you never know when their last day on earth is.”
Johnson said, “Anyone can be taken away from us at any time, love them while they’re here.”
Avery concluded, “I’ve just realized that we tend to take people for granted, especially the ones that we need to protect. Everybody eventually ends up moving on, but some are way earlier than others.”
Joe Guzman can be reached at
jguzman@kscequinox.com
