Mac Miller Does Point Breeze Proud

There are many facts about the East End that convince me it is truly the coolest part of Pittsburgh.

Currently, Mac Miller is at the top of that list.

The Point Breeze native recently made it to #1 on the Billboard charts on his own. No record label, no features with major rappers, no nothing. I know this may sound like old news, but I am here to tell you—if you like good music, you will love Mac Miller.

I knew I had to actually listen and learn after seeing my little sister, Molly, wearing a “Blue Slide Park” T-shirt, which is the name of his hit album. I need to seriously LOVE a musician to buy a shirt and thought that was pretty impressive. If Molly likes him that much, he must be cool, I thought to myself. A few weeks ago, I downloaded the album and the latest single, "Donald Trump," and I am officially a fan.

Mac Miller has some mad rap skills, but my favorite aspect of this album is the fact that it is packed with 100 percent Pittsburgh heart. Many of the songs' lyrics and sound evoke that feeling that the majority of us have coming home—that there is truly no place like Pittsburgh. It’s something more than a city, more than a destination, more than just another town. “Sometimes I just wanna go to Blue Slide Park, the only place I call home,” he raps. The Frick Park destination is just one of many ‘Burgh mentions over perfectly laid out beats and carefully crafted lyrics that ebb and flow continuously.

My favorite tracks include, “Smile Back,” the hardest song on the album, along with “Up All Night,” the ultimate upbeat party song, “Party On Fifth Ave.,” and "Loitering." But this is one of those albums where every song holds something you will love.

Mac Miller hustled in true Pittsburgh, working-class style to earn his #1 spot on the Billboard charts. He toured, he spread his music online and he didn’t stop. He hasn't stopped.

After listening to Blue Slide Park, you’ll find that the result is something just about every Pittsburgher could love.