He’s already released two studio albums and 10 mixtapes. Now, in promotion of his recently released third album GO:OD AM, Mac Miller gears his national tour towards the Badger State. Over the next two weeks, his tour schedule is packed tight with 10 concerts across the country, and Wisconsin is seventh on the list. The Philly born and raised rapper will blast the Madison audience with sound from his new album Saturday in the Orpheum Theatre
Prior to the popular stage name, his hometown knew the aspiring artist as only Malcolm McCormick. But since developing a serious attitude for hip-hop music in high school (having started rapping at age 14), Mac Miller has made his name ring as familiar as Meek Mill, Yelawolf, Yo Gotti and Kendrick Lamar. This is much thanks to his first signing with Rostrum Records freshly after he graduated from high school. In 2011 he shared the XXL Freshman cover with the prior mentioned growing giants of hip-hop. By that point, Mac Miller’s career included six mixtapes, one EP and his first studio album Blue Slide Park. Since then, the rapper has continued to put out work and receive lucrative recognition, including a $10 million deal with Warner Bros. Records in 2014.
Mac Miller is popular for his party-like music and running light-hearted lyrics over a variety of upbeats. He is a self-made musician—having learned piano, guitar, drums and bass—and his instrumental variety is often reflected in his versatility with sound. Some of his signature songs include “Knock Knock,” “Donald Trump” and “Senior Skip Day” which, like most of his music, glorify leisure, enjoyment and his success. His fun and easy style is enjoyable for a wide audience. Since he ended his career with Rostrum Records last year and released his tenth mixtape, however, it seems Mac Miller has received new inspiration for his tracks in GO:OD AM.
In the new project, Mac Miller provides slower lyrics over smoother tones that invite closer listening from audiences rather than jumping and body rocks. He takes an even greater advantage of varying instruments than in past works and experiments with new rhythms for his verses that make sharp changes throughout the album. Some new collaborations, unseen in past work, include Miguel providing hook vocals on the track “Weekend” and Chief Keef dropping a few bars on “Cut the Check.” Witnessing the dynamic Mac Miller can bring to the stage, performing this new music is likely to spark high interest in old and new fans alike.
Mac Miller’s performance will be preceded with opening acts from growing artists Domo Genesis from Los Angeles and GoldLink from Washington, D.C., Saturday, Oct. 17. As tickets are already sold out, the theatre is in store for a crowd of 1,700. We will see how Mac Miller’s new work hypes the Madison crowd.
