Two years ago, a 19-year-old Mac Miller embarked on his first tour, which spanned the United States, with 27 shows stemming from the acclaim of his mixtape K.I.D.S. Two studio albums, a TV show and a record label later, Mac, now 21, is on the Space Migration Tour, as his fans immerse themselves in his newest LP, Watching Movies With the Sound Off. The new album showcases his evolution from an adolescent who capered in tracks such as “Donald Trump” to a refined, more introspective state.
A couple of weeks ago, Miller took the stage at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom and set the virtual world ablaze with hashtags and hysterics that had to be crammed into 140 characters. Word on the tweets is that Miller's new show–with live instrumentation from Odd Future–is a spectacular sight to see.
But what exactly is there to be known about Miller–and his producer alter ego Larry Fisherman? What sets him apart from his younger self?
See Also:
* Mac Miller: 5 Ways to Pre-Game Before His Show
* Has Jay-Z Lost His Way As a Rapper?
* Top 5 Nirvana Samples in Hip-Hop
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OC Weekly (Nick Nuk'em): You've been on nationwide tours, what, four times now? What's one thing you make sure to do when getting to other places?
Mac Miller: It's different every time. I'm starting to explore where I am now. I used to sit my ass on the bus and just hide.
What music are you bumping on the bus?
[Odd Future's] Earl is here. So, [his new album] Doris and everyone else's music is on the bus.
Watching Movies With the Sound Off has sold 148,000 copies as of last week, but it sounds much different from your 2011 debut, Blue Slide Park. Did you make this album for your fans or for yourself in hopes that fans could understand you more?
It's more for myself, whether the fans like it or not. Last time, we set out for a big first week in sales. This one is more laid back; I think it'll sell more than Blue Slide Park in the long run.
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What's the next thing we can expect to pop for your label, REMember Music?
It's still in its beginning stages. But my artist Hardo just did something with T.I.
Over the past few months, your collaborations with young West Coast artists such as Odd Future have become way more frequent. Is that because of your move from Pittsburgh to here?
I think it's more of us being the same age, other than Schoolboy Q's old ass. We all enjoy making music together.
Speaking of the LA rapper, how was it on the set of your video for “Gees”? Did Schoolboy try to bully you for your lunch money?
Hell, no. . . . It was fun, though. Q came through with the chicken legs [from El Pollo Loco], and we decided to add it in there.
Everybody has been talking about your July 16 show at the Hammerstein. You took your shoes off, put on a headband and played guitar at your show in NY. Are you turning into an Allman Brother?
[Laughs.] I don't even know what's happening. I guess I'm getting more comfortable doing what I want to do.
Can we expect some tunes from Larry Fisherman at the show?
Oh, yeah. Always. There'll be a little bit of everything, which is why it's fun. I find the show to be cohesive as a whole performance.
The single “S.D.S. (Somebody Do Something)” captures who you are in a lot of ways. . . . So, has anyone done something yet?
Oh, oh, oh. Ay, you got me! . . . Me! I'm out here doing something, man!
See Also:
* Mac Miller: 5 Ways to Pre-Game Before His Show
* Has Jay-Z Lost His Way As a Rapper?
* Top 5 Nirvana Samples in Hip-Hop
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I listen to music. I write about it. I like hot sauce on my chicken.