Fans of the late Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller gathered in Blue Slide Park a day before the one-year anniversary of his sudden death. Miller, whose real name was Malcolm McCormick, died of an accidental drug overdose in his Studio City, Calif. home last year.
Friday's event brought together people from across the country to the iconic park, just blocks away from Miller's alma mater, Taylor Allderdice High School. He released several albums and mix tapes between 2010 and 2019, including “Swimming” one month before his death for which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In October 2019, a tribute concert was held in Miller's honor with fellow rappers and friends. The event, along with online donations, raised more than $935,000, which Miller's family put into a grant fund. East Liberty's Hope Academy of Music and the Arts was the first recipient of a $50,000 grant. The organization plans to use the money to expand its Suzuki music program.
Earlier this week, federal authorities arrested a California man on charges that he sold pills laced with the opioid fentanyl to Miller, resulting in his death.
