Mac Miller songs represent some of the most emotionally resonant and creatively ambitious hip-hop music of the past decade. Malcolm James McCormick began his career in Pittsburgh’s local hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of 15, evolving from a young rapper into one of music’s most versatile and introspective artists. From early breakthrough tracks to posthumous releases, Mac Miller’s discography showcases remarkable growth and artistic depth that continues to captivate listeners worldwide. His ability to blend genres while maintaining authentic vulnerability makes his catalog essential listening for music enthusiasts exploring diverse songs across different styles and emotions.
Donald Trump
“Donald Trump” became Mac Miller’s first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 75, establishing him as a major force in hip-hop. The money-inspired song refers to Donald Trump, particularly Miller’s ambitions to become wealthy and successful like him, capturing the aspirational energy of his early career. This track from his Best Day Ever mixtape showcased Mac’s ability to craft catchy hooks while delivering confident verses about success and determination.
Self Care
Standing as his highest-streamed track to date on Spotify, Miller addresses his faults while contradictorily pledging that they’re remedied in this powerful Swimming highlight. The song’s music video depicts Miller buried alive in a coffin that he breaks himself out of, serving as a powerful metaphor for self-reliance and personal growth. Self Care represents Mac’s journey toward mental health awareness and his commitment to personal healing, making it one of his most meaningful compositions.
2009
“2009” is fan-favorite from what would be Mac’s last full body of work with Swimming, which finds Miller in self-reflection, examining his career starting with 2009. The soft piano-laden tune captures Mac’s ability to balance vulnerability with hope, as he reflects on his journey through fame’s challenges. This track demonstrates his growth as both an artist and person, offering listeners insight into the lessons learned throughout his career’s trials and tribulations.
Ladders
“Ladders” serves as the midway point of Mac’s latest studio album Swimming, with the ladder symbolizing Miller ascending through his life’s journey. The song features infectious brass lines and memorable riffs that create an uplifting atmosphere despite its introspective lyrics. Mac uses the ladder metaphor to explore themes of personal growth and overcoming obstacles, making it one of Swimming’s most optimistic and energizing tracks.
Good News
The single “Good News” became his highest-charting song as lead artist in the United States at number 17, proving Mac’s posthumous appeal and the enduring quality of his artistry. This Circles standout finds Mac addressing his mental health struggles with characteristic honesty and introspection. The song’s gentle production provides a perfect backdrop for Mac’s vulnerable vocals, creating an intimate listening experience that resonates deeply with fans.
Come Back to Earth
This Swimming opener showcases Mac’s ability to blend melancholic themes with gorgeous production, creating a track that feels both personal and universal. The aura of “Swimming’s” opening track at first appears melancholic, but Miller’s lyrics reveal a pragmatic truth — he was confessing his demons. The song establishes the album’s central theme of struggling with depression while finding hope, making it an essential entry point into Mac’s most introspective work.
What’s the Use
Swimming was supported by three singles: “Small Worlds”, “Self Care”, and “What’s the Use?”, with this track standing out for its innovative production and Mac’s smooth vocal delivery. The song features a hypnotic groove that perfectly complements Mac’s contemplative lyrics about relationships and personal growth. What’s the Use demonstrates Mac’s evolution toward a more melodic, R&B-influenced sound while maintaining his signature introspective lyricism.
Weekend (feat. Miguel)
The single “Weekend”, featuring Miguel, became his second song as lead artist to be certified platinum by the RIAA, showcasing Mac’s ability to create mainstream hits without compromising artistic integrity. ‘Weekend’ was where Mac’s blend of deeply pensive rhymes with lofty production started to really catch on with fans. The collaboration perfectly balances Mac’s introspective rap verses with Miguel’s silky vocals, creating a track that works both as a party anthem and a thoughtful meditation on success.
Dang! (feat. Anderson .Paak)
‘Dang!’ from ‘The Divine Feminine’ signified a profound shift in Mac Miller’s career, blending funk, R&B and hip-hop into a fresh, soulful sound. The track features Anderson .Paak’s dynamic vocals alongside Mac’s smooth delivery, creating one of his most commercially appealing songs. This collaboration demonstrates Mac’s ability to work with diverse artists while exploring themes of love and relationships with maturity and sophistication.
Small Worlds
On May 30, 2018, Miller released the album’s first single “Small Worlds”, introducing fans to Swimming’s introspective direction and refined production style. The song explores themes of isolation and connection with characteristic vulnerability, showcasing Mac’s growth as both a songwriter and vocalist. Small Worlds perfectly encapsulates the album’s exploration of personal relationships and mental health, making it an essential track for understanding Mac’s artistic evolution.
Blue World
Kicking off with a Four Freshmen sample (“It’s a Blue World”), this track makes listeners feel like they’re entering Mac’s alternate universe, where experimental production meets introspective lyricism. The track “Blue World” includes production assistance from Guy Lawrence, one half of UK-based house production duo Disclosure. This Circles highlight demonstrates Mac’s willingness to experiment with electronic elements while maintaining his signature emotional depth.
Circles
The title track from Mac’s posthumous album showcases his ability to address life’s cyclical nature with both resignation and acceptance. The “Circles” are metaphors for Miller’s life cycle that he just can’t seem to break, which is a relatable topic for listeners. The song’s minimalist production allows Mac’s vocals and lyrics to take center stage, creating an intimate listening experience that captures his philosophical approach to life’s challenges.
Programs
This non-album single released alongside Small Worlds demonstrates Mac’s versatility and his ability to create compelling music outside of traditional album cycles. The track features intricate production and thoughtful lyricism that explores themes of personal growth and artistic expression. Programs showcases Mac’s commitment to constantly evolving his sound while maintaining the emotional honesty that defined his best work.
Hurt Feelings
Favorite songs are “come back to earth”, “self care”, and “hurt feelings” according to many fans, with this Swimming track standing out for its raw emotional honesty. The song explores themes of vulnerability and personal pain with characteristic directness, creating a deeply relatable listening experience. Hurt Feelings demonstrates Mac’s ability to transform personal struggles into universal anthems that resonate with listeners facing similar challenges.
Frick Park Market
“Frick Park Market” served as the lead single to Mac Miller’s Blue Slide Park debut album and is actually named after a deli in the neighborhood where Mac grew up in Pittsburgh. The track showcases Mac’s early confidence and lyrical prowess, establishing him as a formidable presence in hip-hop. This hometown homage demonstrates Mac’s connection to his Pittsburgh roots while displaying the technical skills that would define his career.
The Way (feat. Ariana Grande)
In March 2013, he collaborated with Ariana Grande on her single “The Way”; it attained his highest peak in the United States at number 9, becoming one of his most commercially successful tracks. The collaboration showcases Mac’s ability to adapt his style to different musical contexts while maintaining his distinctive voice. This pop-rap fusion demonstrates Mac’s versatility and his talent for creating crossover hits that appeal to diverse audiences.
5 Dollar Pony Rides
Track four, “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” will land on streaming services everywhere as part of Balloonerism, representing Mac’s experimental period and his willingness to push creative boundaries. The release of “5 Dollar Pony Rides” was the first song to offer a tantalizing glimpse that the legends were true regarding the mythical Balloonerism project. This track showcases Mac’s more experimental side while maintaining the emotional depth that characterized his best work.
DJ’s Chord Organ (feat. SZA)
SZA, his longtime friend, appears on “DJ’s Chord Organ,” a heady track credited to Miller’s production alter ego Larry Fisherman from the newly released Balloonerism album. The track borrows a chord organ once belonging to lo-fi folk hero Daniel Johnston, demonstrating Mac’s deep appreciation for musical history and his ability to incorporate diverse influences. This collaboration represents one of the few featured appearances on Balloonerism, making it particularly special for fans.
Swimming
The title track from Mac’s fifth studio album encapsulates the record’s central metaphor of staying afloat through life’s challenges. He reflects back on his past state (“drownin'”), to his present (“swimmin'”), with the essence of the album emulated in just one line. The song demonstrates Mac’s growth from his earlier work, showcasing sophisticated production and mature lyricism that explores themes of personal evolution and mental health with remarkable clarity.
Tomorrow Will Never Know
On the hushed and haunting epic “Tomorrow Will Never Know,” he looks down at himself from a distant God’s-eye view and arrives at the enlightened conclusion: “Living and dying are one and the same”. This Balloonerism closer showcases Mac’s philosophical depth and his ability to grapple with life’s biggest questions through music. The track serves as a contemplative meditation on existence, demonstrating the spiritual growth that characterized his later work.
Mac Miller’s greatest songs represent a journey through hip-hop’s evolution, showcasing an artist who never stopped growing and experimenting. From early party anthems to deeply introspective ballads, his catalog offers something for every mood and moment. Whether you’re seeking motivation through tracks like Donald Trump and Weekend, emotional catharsis through Self Care and 2009, or philosophical reflection through Tomorrow Will Never Know, Mac’s music provides a soundtrack for life’s complete emotional spectrum. His influence on contemporary hip-hop continues through artists who embrace vulnerability and genre-blending experimentation.
For music enthusiasts looking to explore Mac’s sound further, consider investing in quality headphones or earbuds to fully appreciate the intricate production details that made his music so compelling. Mac Miller’s legacy lives on through these timeless tracks that continue inspiring new generations of listeners and artists alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mac Miller’s most popular song?
Standing as his highest-streamed track to date on Spotify, “Self Care” from Swimming represents Mac Miller’s most popular song. The track resonates with fans due to its powerful message about mental health and self-reliance, combined with memorable production and an iconic music video featuring Mac breaking out of a coffin.
What was Mac Miller’s first hit song?
“Donald Trump” was Miller’s first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, entering at number 80 and peaking at number 75. Released in 2011 as part of his Best Day Ever mixtape, the track established Mac as a rising force in hip-hop and demonstrated his ability to create catchy, mainstream-friendly music.
What is Mac Miller’s newest album?
Balloonerism is the seventh studio album by American rapper Mac Miller, released on January 17, 2025, making it his newest and second posthumous release. Miller recorded the album in 2014, around the time his mixtape Faces was released, but it remained unreleased until 2025, offering fans previously unheard material from his creative vault.
Which Mac Miller album won a Grammy nomination?
Swimming received generally positive reviews from critics and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. This recognition highlighted the album’s artistic achievement and Mac’s growth as a musician, representing his first and only Grammy nomination during his career.
What themes does Mac Miller explore in his music?
Mac Miller’s music explores themes of mental health, personal growth, love, addiction, and philosophical reflection on life and death. Throughout the album, Miller’s break up with pop singer Ariana Grande is a common theme of inspiration, as it gave him the chance to experience self-love, healing and psychological growth. His later works particularly focus on vulnerability, self-care, and finding meaning through struggle.
How many albums did Mac Miller release?
Balloonerism is the seventh studio album by American rapper Mac Miller, representing his complete official discography including posthumous releases. His studio albums include Blue Slide Park (2011), Watching Movies with the Sound Off (2013), GO:OD AM (2015), The Divine Feminine (2016), Swimming (2018), Circles (2020), and Balloonerism (2025).