*Updated September 8, 2018, at 2:50 p.m.
Mac Miller, the platinum hip-hop star whose rhymes vacillated from party raps to lyrics about depression and drug use, and earned kudos from the likes of Jay-Z and Chance the Rapper, has died at the age of 26.
His family said in a statement that Miller died Friday, but gave no further details. "He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans," the statement said.
The rapper grew up in Point Breeze and went to Winchester Thurston School and Taylor Allderdice High School.
Miller, who also drew headlines for his two-year relationship with singer Ariana Grande that ended earlier this year, apparently died in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles police said they responded to a report of a deceased person at a home on the same block where Miller is listed as a resident, and had turned the case over to the coroner's office. The coroner's office said it did not have any details it could release.
In 2010, Miller signed to Pittsburgh-based indie record label Rostrum Records, which also represents Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa. Miller's debut album "Blue Slide Park" was released in 2011 and debuted at No. 1., the first independent debut album to top the charts since 1995. While signed to Rostrum, he released “Watching Movies with the Sound Off” (2013).
The album included the song "Come Back to Earth," with Miller trying to chart his way through tough times: "In my own way, I feel like living some alternate reality/And I was drowning, but now I'm swimming through stressful waters to relief."
After news broke, fellow rappers and those touched by Miller’s music took to Twitter, including rapper Wiz Khalifa, who sent support to Miller and his family, noting their ties to the area.
Jasiri X, who knew Miller since he first entered the rap scene in Pittsburgh said he “never tried to be anything but himself.”
Mac Miller was a good dude who came into the Hip-Hop scene in Pittsburgh very authentically. He never tried to be anything but himself. Loved seeing him evolve artistically. Heartbreaking to see him pass so soon
— Jasiri X (@jasiri_x) September 7, 2018
And Chicago-based Chance the Rapper, who toured with Miller in 2013 at the beginning of his career, tweeted that Miller was “one of the sweetest guys I ever knew.”
I dont know what to say Mac Miller took me on my second tour ever. But beyond helping me launch my career he was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew. Great man. I loved him for real. Im completely broken. God bless him.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 7, 2018
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto also tweeted to express his condolences.
Reaching out to Mac’s family & Pittsburgh Friends. 26 years young. #RIPMacMiller https://t.co/IA0S18bKKF
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) September 7, 2018
Miller also launched his own record label, REMember Music in collaboration with Warner Bros. He released GO:OD AM (2015), "The Devine Feminine" (2016) and his final album, "Swimming" on Aug. 3 of this year.
Last month, Miller was charged with a DUI after hitting a power pole in San Fernando Valley, Calif., and fleeing in May. He spoke openly about his struggles with depression, which throughout his career he translated into art.
A vigil for Miller is planned on Tuesday, September 11th at Blue Slide Park at 7 p.m.
This is a developing story. It has been updated to reflect recent comments from the Los Angeles Coroner's office. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
