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Mac Miller’s Top 10 Albums/Mixtapes: Ranked

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Mac Miller‘s death sent tidal waves through the music community. Heavily touted as a unique talent and intimate soul, his journey was left tragically unfinished. Openly addicted to drugs and dealing with depression, Mac was an example of why artists often struggle with the limelight. However, the flawed figure had a noticeable impact on any collaborator he worked with. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Miller was born to a creative family that enhanced his musical interests. By age six, he was already learning the drums and the piano.

The rapper was spitting rhymes on the school bus by his freshman year of high school, orchestrating random jam-out sessions where his buddies acted as impromptu drum sets or hi-hats. The Pittsburgh outfit would continue to hone his craft, releasing his breakout mixtape K.I.D.S at only 18 years old. Soon, making large-scale connections and signing a record deal with Rostrum Records, he released his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, in 2011.

For all of Mac’s faults, he was one of the most influential artists of our generation. Mac was more than just a rapper, improving leaps and bounds as a vocalist or multi-instrumentalist throughout his career. With his last few albums being his best work, Mac is one of hip-hop’s biggest “what if” stories.

10. Blue Slide Park

His debut studio album, Blue Slide Park is a noticed maturation from the lyrical and production sound of his mixtapes. Mac is impressively able to find his distinctive voice throughout the 46-minute record. The project is famously known for receiving a scathing 1.0 mark from Pitchfork. However, that rating has since been disproven. Employing a timeless sound, tracks like “Party of Fifth Ave” or “PA Nights” still sound just as fresh today.

Additionally, the record sold 145,000 in its first week, shooting straight to #1 on the Billboard charts. Blue Slide Park is full of egotistical, party-rap bops. While it’s far more surface-level than his later releases, it’s an admirable full-length debut. A direct shoutout to his upbringing in Pittsburgh, it’s a transition album from his fun mixtapes to his later, more mature records.

9. Best Day Ever

The follow-up mixtape to his hit day-view mixtape K.I.D.S, Best Day Ever saw Mac Miller strip down his sound to appeal to his hoards of new fans. Bringing in fellow Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa, the mixtape was ultimately an attempt to mold himself into a household mainstream rapper. The result is mixed from front to back, as cringeworthy choruses and forced verses are undeniably present throughout the album.

However, Best Day Ever still features much of what made early-era Mac Miller great. It’s braggadocios, groovy, and has plenty of timeless bangers such as “Donald Trump” and title track, “Best Day Ever.” While Best Day Ever is mixed better while seeing Mac improve on his technical songwriting chops, it’s missing the uniqueness or nostalgic bite of K.I.D.S.

8. K.I.D.S

Iconic, nostalgic, and downright fun. The debut streaming mixtape from Mac, K.I.D.S is a coming-of-age collection of boom-bap rap and jazzy beats. Even on his early mixtapes, he had proved that he wasn’t in the game to sound like everyone else. Sampling the likes of Empire of the Sun and Nas, he displayed an inherent knack for utilizing great sounds.

Throwing the listener in the headspace of a sunny day riding a bike with friends, K.I.D.S is a 47-minute middle finger to what’s to be expected of him. Ditching high school or the traditional college route, Mac idolizes smoking weed or being with women. He and his friends are driving around town without a destination, searching for the next high of childhood. Purposefully goofy, he flexes as any other indulgent teenager would.

Clearly listening to hip-hop from the West to the East Coast, Miller integrates the two styles into an eclectic blend. Tracks such as “Nikes On My Feet” and “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza” are much the latter, with Joey Bada$$‘s influence written all over them. However, tracks such as “Knock Knock” and “The Spins” very much contain the freedom or spontaneity of a West Coast track. While he hasn’t found his distinctive sound, Mac still finds a way to make K.I.D.S sound uniquely him.

7. Macadelic

While Blue Slide Park was largely devoid of features, Macadelic saw him work with plenty of collaborators. From Lil Wayne to Kendrick Lamar, Mac sounds far more comfortable when able to rely on the energy of others to create in comparison to Blue Slide Park. Taking a noticeable step up in the lyrical department, he comes off as a rapper who’s more confident about the subject matter he’s rapping about.

Mac Miller is unsettlingly dark and pensive on Macadelic, talking about his addiction to codeine and questioning religion. He puts it all on the table, throwing away the façade that his drug and fame-filled lifestyle was an endless fever dream. Some of Mac’s essential hits appear on the record, such as “Loud” and “Fight the Feeling.”

Macadelic suffers from the common theme of Mac’s early records of being far too long. Surpassing the hour mark, it’s a tedious front-to-back listen. However, he’s able to use the run-time to express more stylistic range than ever. Hopping from Soul to Trap-based influences, it was his most unpredictable record to date.

6. Watching Movies With The Sound Off

Mac’s second studio album, Watching Moves with the Sound Off was his most experimental record. Playing around with ethereal beats and vocal pitch shifting, it was his most psychedelic record, as well. Mac recruited the likes of Clams Casino and The Alchemist to curate his sound. In an interview with Complex, Mac described the record as “very introspective and very personal, so it’s kind of throwing it all out there and seeing what happens.” After settling into the “weed rapper” persona for a few years, the 2012 release marked a significant crossroads in his career, where he could distinguish his narrative from that stereotype.

With guest features from the likes of Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, and Schoolboy Q, Mac was an established force in the music industry by this time. Additionally, the features seemed to compliment his grittier narratives far better than on previous projects. He focuses far more on his vocal delivery on the project, which he’d been struggling with previously. Initially aspiring to be a singer before becoming a rapper, it’s no wonder he began venturing into different vocal pallets at this career stage.

While Watching Movies with the Sound Off is a little lengthy, plenty of memorable moments remain stuck in my head ten years later. You have Earl’s verse on the back end of “I’m Not Real,” or the trippy summertime vibes of “Someone Like You.” There’s no question that some of his best tracks appeared on this album. From warped reverb guitars to psychedelic synths, the record was his most cohesive and mature project.

5. The Divine Feminine

Mac’s fourth studio album, The Divine Feminine, ties together grandiose vocal harmonies and airy piano chords for his most pleasant-sounding record to date. Featuring some absolute slappers, we have some great features from Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar. Full of earworm choruses, “Dang!” and “God is Fair, Sexy Nasty” are two of his best tracks. Mac focuses more than ever on his psychedelic blend of jazz and hip-hop on The Divine Feminine. In many ways, the production techniques on this record would be fully realized on Swimming.

As is implied by the title, Mac is narratively focused on his relationships with women throughout The Divine Feminine, or as he puts it, “the feminine energy of the planet.” Referencing his past relationship with Nomi Leasure in contrast to his current relationship with Ariana Grande, he reflects on the subtle differences between the two experiences. Grande later confirmed that “Cinderella” was about her.

The Divine Feminine is a sonic and narrative contrast to Good A:M. Peeling back the many layers of love, it replaces hard-hitting bops with introspective grooves. In retrospect, it feels like the project that cemented Mac as a multi-creative force rather than just your other mainstream MC.

4. Good A:M

A banger-filled follow-up to Watching Movies with the Sound Off, the project sees Mac noticeably progress in terms of his ability to create a narratively engaging project. While he remains fully engaged in the pure hip-hop era of his career, Good A:M would be the last (relatively) straightforward rap project from Mac Miller. In many ways, Good A:M is a homecoming to his early rap days. The production mirrors his early mixtapes, showcasing a significant improvement from Mac.

In his most cohesive record up to this point, he discusses topics regarding addiction, fame, and personal growth. Mac states: “White lines be numbing them dark times / Them pills that I’m popping, I need to man up / Admit it’s a problem, I need a wake up / Before one morning, I don’t wake up.” In retrospect, it’s another harrowing line that showcases how he was self-conscious about his shortcomings.

Good A:M bounces from beautiful jazz-rap samples to reverb-filled trap bangers. He recruits the likes of Chief Keef and Lil B for the latter, who each deliver a refreshing change of pace on their respective tracks. While the project suffers from a common thread of overstaying its welcome, this doesn’t weigh down the record to the same extent as past projects. Good A:M is a pleasant mix of moody and hype songs that signaled his outstanding growth from Blue Slide Park to the Fall of 2015.

3. Faces

Initially released in 2014, Faces was re-issued to streaming services in 2021. A firm fan favorite, the mixtape was finally released as a retrospective celebration of his life. As Mac Miller’s astounding eleventh (and best) mixtape, the record is peppered with topics surrounding our mortality and his personal struggle to discover meaning. Up to this point, Faces sees Mac as more unfiltered and raw than ever.

While Faces is officially a mixtape, it certainly feels like a full-length experience. Running just past the 90-minute mark, the jazz-adjacent jams feature iconic Miles Davis samples and bass guitar riffs from close friend Thundercat. Oddly enough, the album feels more relevant now than in 2014. The leisurely and abstract nature of the production better mirrors present-day hip-hop styles than those relevant back when Faces was released.

An even more tragic listen when consumed with the context of Mac’s death, it almost feels as if Mac is accepting of his approaching demise on the record. “Grand Finale,” the final track off of the mixtape, sees Mac claim that it would be the final song he would ever put out. Full of fantastic features, we see common contemporaries such as Earl Sweatshirt and Vince Staples on the record. Hauling in a West Coast collective of MCs, Mac’s pen game is at its peak on the mixtape.

2. Swimming

Mac Miller’s fifth studio album, Swimming, was his most vulnerable record. It had been a rough six months leading up to the record’s release. Mac was arrested for a DUI, as he references in “Hurt Feelings.” Recently breaking up with Ariana Grande, the album contains a definite “me against the world mentality.” Mac explores his loneliness amidst a pool of emotions, feeling as lost as ever at 26.

There’s an apparent To Pimp a Butterfly influence on Swimming, as Mac integrates groovy jazz basslines on the likes of “Ladders” and “Self Care.” Of course, this isn’t the first time Mac toyed with Jazz or Soul influences. In fact, Swimming feels like a project he had built up to throughout his career trajectory. Take The Divine Feminine, where Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar-featured tracks add in falsetto horns and rapid tempo drums.

Swimming is a fully realized version of the eclectic blends of Jazz-Rap that Mac Miller had been going for in the past. The record is so fascinating in that, in many cases, the sound directly contrasts with Mac’s lyricism. The music acts as a therapeutic escape for him, masking him from the reality of his mental state. However, this isn’t a concurring theme from start to finish. “Perfecto” is far more melancholic, as Mac references Grande with the line, “She put me back together when I was out of order.” “2009” features earnest, piercing piano chords as he sighs, “I don’t have it all, but that’s alright with me.” Swimming is arguably the best sounding project in his discography.

1. Circles

It’s both tragic and beautiful that Mac’s only posthumous release would be his best project. Circles is precisely that. Reflective and harrowing, the record was intended to be a narrative companion to Swimming. He completed the vast majority of the project before his sudden passing. It took composer-producer Job Brion to complete the mixing process of the record. On Circles, Mac Miller is swimming in a despondent loop, living on a high tossing him into the same fortuitous cycle of drug use and depressive episodes.

While Mac seems wholly lost on Swimming, Circles seems to see him find his footing a bit more. He’s more conscious of the inherent ebbs and flows of life or accepting the trends that have led him to his current mental state. On “Surf,” he states, “It’s more when I’m standin’ in crowds that I’m feelin’ the most on my own.” He continuously references this juxtaposition throughout Circles, repeating “good news is all they wanna hear” on the isolating “Good News.”

Circles was meant to symbolize a new sonic direction for the Pittsburgh-born rapper. Dreaming of one day being a singer before his rap career took off, the record felt like a new stage in his astounding evolution as an artist. Predominately indie-folk, Mac Miller raps less than ever on the record. The one exception is “Blue World,” a rare moment of clarity and contentment amidst stuttering vocal samples. In retrospect, Circles is the best form of closure fans could’ve asked for.

Tyler, The Creator’s Albums: Ranked

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Tyler, the Creator has long been a marquee name in the music industry. First blowing up off of the wonky New-York-based banger “Yonkers,” the Los Angeles-born-and-raised artist would soon found music and entertainment collective ‘Odd Future.’ Undeniably himself, he’s never been one to hold his tongue. With the spotlight on him in his early 20s, he wasn’t one to shy away from controversy. For example, he was banned from the UK for his “derogatory” and “offensive” lyrics. However, his unwavering insistence on being himself would soon curate the artist a cult-like fanbase.

Tyler, The Creator Is Known For Being Very Controversial

Calling Tyler the most controversial rapper of the early to mid 2010s hews far closer to fact than opinion. Tyler’s raspy voice meshed with grimy bangers on his earlier records, such as ‘Bastard’ and ‘Goblin’. Rapping amidst distorted drum patterns and screeching guitar riffs, his sound blended the soundscapes of New York and Los Angeles. The confident MC and producer is well-known for his “do it yourself” personality. From riding bikes around Santa Barbara to pioneering a distinct clothing style, he’s captured the imagination of an entire generation.

As Tyler references on ‘Call Me If You Get Lost,’ he really began to hit his stride around the age of 25. Releasing the controversial “Cherry Bomb,” he began to approach his career with a higher level of intent. This would bleed over into a new era for Tyler, beginning with “Flower Boy.” While he toyed with blends of pop and soul on previous records, songs such as “See You Again” and “911/Mr. Lonely” would force fans to take him more seriously. He would go on to release ‘Igor’ and ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’. Both projects ended up winning Grammys for Rap Album of the Year.

Now approaching the Spring, Tyler fans will know that he has a tendency to release every 2 years over the Summer. While there’s been rumblings of a disco record, Tyler publicly refuted this over Twitter. Fans will have to keep guessing about what’s next for one of the most talented and influential artists today.

Tyler, the Creator performs onstage during 2022 Made In America at Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

7. Goblin

Considering the sudden rise of the eclectic ‘Odd Future,’ ‘Goblin’ represents the first album that was highly anticipated from Tyler. Many of you may be surprised to see this record at the bottom of our list. In fact, ‘Goblin’ features both two tracks that established him as more than just an oddball internet personality. “Yonkers” is a 808-induded NYC banger, with menacing lyrics such as “I slipped myself some pink Xannies and danced around the house in all-over print pannies.” Tyler has stated that he’s never really been into drugs. However, the purposefully dramatic songwriting added to the aura and mysticism of his fame.

“She” proved that Tyler didn’t need to rely on rapping to create hits. It featured melodic vocals from Frank Ocean, 80s synths and a heavy bass. It had thousands crying out the lyrics at concerts around the world. Frank Ocean wouldn’t be the only Odd Future member on the record, with the likes of Domo Genesis and Hodgy making appearances on multiple tracks. However, Tyler purposefully keeps the feature list limited in order to draw attention to his songwriting.

‘Goblin’ very much has its flaws as an overall record. As he attempts to redefine himself amidst lofi beats and piano chords, the frequent result is tracks that feel under-produced, or are a flat-out mess. Similar to his debut mixtape, Tyler lashes out in anger through multiple personas throughout the record. However, the production doesn’t represent that in as cohesive of a manner compared to ‘Bastard.’ While he doesn’t stick the landing, it’s still an important record in his discography.

6. Bastard

Tyler’s debut mixtape, ‘Bastard’ predated much of the Odd Future hype and drama. Releasing the project at 18 years old, Tyler is very much existing in his own world rather than attempting to adhere to mainstream sounds. The production is purposefully messy, and his rapping dabbles into overtly offensive or “out of pocket” lyricism. However, there’s a certain appeal to the frankness of it all. Tyler’s messy voice was highly distinctive from the rest of the Odd Future collective, meshing well with the “ugliness” of the production on the record.

‘Bastard’ sees Tyler take a swipe at multiple aspects of his life. Whether it be his negligent father or the overall toxicity of the rap industry, he’s angry from start to finish. Distorted 808s and rugged synths parallel this emotion from start to finish, making for a cohesive listen. Tyler paints himself as a menacing, villainous character while rapping about dark topics such as kidnap or murder. At times, it’s hard to tell whether he’s playing a character or just being himself. However, it’s a record where he dives into the darkest corners of his mind.

Created on a limited budget, ‘Bastard’ is a stark contrast to the polished quality of his recent work. Therefore, it’s an essential listen for any new Tyler, the Creator fans who want to learn about how he matured both artistically and personally.

5. Cherry Bomb

Tyler’s fourth studio album, ‘Cherry Bomb’ is an awkward record that symbolized the transition phase of his career. Wanting to prove he was more than a rapper, ‘Cherry Bomb’ sees Okonma hone in on his producing and singing. More soulful than ever, the likes of Kali Uchis and Charlie Wilson contribute features. Opting to focus more on sound and less on lyricism, the result is a mixed bag.

‘Cherry Bomb’ mixes the old and new eras of Tyler. He doesn’t want to let go with the old version of himself. However, the consistently muddy and painfully mixed beats come off as worse than his older works, such as on the wild title track “Cherry Bomb.” As previously mentioned, he’s looking to root his soul influences into more of a soul-based sound. However, the result is more so an impersonation of those soundscapes rather than something that’s genuine. “Find Your Wings” and “Perfect” are charming enough, but pale in comparison the pop-soul blends on ‘Flower Boy.’

Ultimately, ‘Cherry Bomb’ was the record Tyler needed to create in order to eventually get to ‘Flower Boy’ and ‘Igor.’ His uninspiring singing would morph into the exhilarating vocal pitching on ‘Igor.’ The chord-filled tracks that were lyrically surface level would inspire him to hone in on his songwriting on ‘Flower Boy.’ Point beating, ‘Cherry Bomb’ represented the metamorphosis into who he is today.

4. Wolf

‘Wolf’ is the first record that hints at more of a conceptual, mature Tyler. More vulnerable than ever about his trying childhood, he opens up about his complex relationship with his father. On “Answer,” he’s torn between hating his father, yet knowing that “when I call, I hope you pickup your phone” amidst layered guitar strings.

A stark departure from his first two records, his third studio album is more glossy from a mixing perspective. However, his natural rapping voice doesn’t mesh with the new sonic ideas. To put it simply, his rapping and production levels don’t meet the levels he would set on projects. In many ways, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ symbolizes Tyler redefining the flaws on this record.

Even if ‘Wolf’ feels like an awkward departure from the “messy” days of his music, there’s still numerous quality tracks on the record. “Tamale” is goofy in the best ways possible, with a mystic chorus that somehow works. “IFHY” features Tyler’s main inspiration, Pharrell Williams. The colorful synths blended with Pharrell’s voice makes for one of the standout moments in his entire discography. Tyler experiences the full spectrum of infatuation with his love interest, repeating the phrase “I f**king hate you, but I love you.”

Tyler The Creator performs during the 2022 Forecastle Music Festival at Waterfront Park. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)

3. Call Me If You Get Lost

Traveling from Geneva to Paris, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost‘ is a collage of experiences from Tyler. Mirroring the aesthetics of 80s European films, Tyler takes on the alter-ego of Sr. Baudelaire to aid to the theme of travel. The listener is taken across the world as he curates a banger-focused mixtape from “Lumberjack” to “Lemonhead.” His lavish lifestyle puts the audience into a dreamy setting, as he unequivocally boasts about his extensive car and jewelry collection.

While his previous two albums drifted from rap into more conceptual, genre-bending releases, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ sees Tyler return to his roots. After falling out of love with rap, he described how working with Westside Gunn reinvigorated his love for the genre. In fact, intro track “Sr. Baudelaire” samples a Westside Gunn beat as he introduces us to his pristine world. Bringing the likes of NBA Youngboy, Lil Wayne, and 42 Dugg into the mix, he drew many comparisons to Kanye West regarding his ability to maximize the talents of his features.

However, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ is more in-depth than a getaway vacation. In fact, all of this boasting is a mask for his broken heart. He exposes the story on “Wilshire” on top of a lofi drum beat. It’s not a straightforward rap album. “Sweet / I Thought You Wanted To Dance” meshes reggae and soul into a groovy 10-minute experience that’s undeniably one of his best. Tracks such as “Wusyaname” and “Hot Wind Blows” sample 70s soul cuts. While “Call Me If You Get Lost” isn’t quite as threaded together or conceptual, it’s a fun vanity project that sees him in peak rapping form.

2. Flower Boy

‘Flower Boy‘ still feels like Tyler’s career-defining record. Up to this point, many argued that his artistic growth after ‘Bastard’ hadn’t lived up to his initial hype. ‘Cherry Bomb’ was met with a predominantly mixed reception, which meant that there was an inevitable pressure on Tyler to deliver with his next project. Fulling diving into the elements of pop/soul that he half-way committed to on ‘Cherry Bomb,’ ‘Flower Boy’ throws the listener into the soundscape of a lonely summer day.

Tyler sings about loneliness throughout the record. Sitting in a room with the sun shining through, he’s waiting for someone to “call me sometime.” However, the emphasis on the record is absolutely on the sound rather than the lyrics. Love-stricken and lonely, his music is rooted in sunny days biking around the park. Growing up listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, their influence is apparent throughout the record.

From “find some time to do something” to “can I get a kiss, and can you make it last forever,” there are so many quotable moments that stick. As Tyler puts it, his ultimate goal of music to blend ‘pretty’ and ‘hard’ music. ‘Flower Boy’ is the prime example of him doing that. While the record is missing some of the messy kinks that would distinguish his sound on ‘Igor,’ it’s drop-dead gorgeous from start to finish.

Tyler, the Creator performs on day 3 of Wireless Festival 2022 at Crystal Palace Park. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)

1. Igor

‘Igor‘ is Tyler, the Creator’s best album. In our opinion, it’s really not close. In fact, Tyler himself agrees with us. During an interview with Rick Rubin, he said this was the first record he created where “when people told me they liked it, I said “I know””. While ‘Flower Boy’ saw Tyler tone down his radical ideas in favor of a smoother record, ‘Igor’ is the best of both worlds. The character ‘Igor’ originates from Frankenstein. His deformed body represented a symbolic threat to the politeness of society. Tyler takes the frame of this character to archetype the overall record.

Integrating wonky vocal pitching and distorted drums with soft soul chords, ‘Igor’ sounds like Tyler more than any record before or after it. Darting from rap bangers such as “What’s Good” to the rapid punk drums on “New Magic Wand,” the 2019 record was one of the best breakup albums of the decade. The 40-minute experience was initially met with a mixed reception. However, it’s cocooned into being widely accepted as his best work. Hidden features add to the unpredictable initial listening experience. From the shocking contribution from Kanye West on “Puppet” to the Kali Uchis’s mellow vocals on “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” not explicitly putting their names on the album aids to the idea that ‘Igor’ is meant to be experienced from start to finish.

‘Igor’ Would Be The Perfect Movie Soundtrack

With Tyler openly speaking about his desire to one day direct films, it’s no coincidence that ‘Igor’ is structured like the soundtrack to a saddening romantic film. ‘Igor’s Theme’ begins with static synths, as if we’re being introduced to an 80s film. The album transitions through every stage of love to acceptance. Tyler falls in love on the groovy “I Think,” to then feeling like he needs a “New Magic Wand” to make this person love him, to finally accepting his loss on “Gone, Gone / Thank You.” ‘Igor’ is his best record from both a sonic and thematic perspective.

Let us know how you would rank Tyler’s albums in the comments below!

Drake’s Projects, Ranked From Worst to Best

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Image via Complex Original
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    Room For Improvement (2006)

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    Comeback Season (2007)

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    Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020)

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    Thank Me Later (2010)

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    What a Time to Be Alive (2015)

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    Certified Lover Boy (2021)

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    More Life (2017)

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    Views (2016)

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    Honestly, Nevermind (2022)

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    Scorpion (2018)

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    So Far Gone (2009)

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    If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)

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    Nothing Was the Same (2013)

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    Take Care (2011)