Today is a bittersweet day in hip-hop history. While many great albums were released, sparking anniversaries for Eminem's Recovery, Kanye West's Yeezus, and Mac Miller's Watching Movies With The Sound Off, several rappers ultimately lost their lives. Jimmy Wopo and XXXTentacion were both murdered two years ago to this day, and Mac's own big anniversary feels tarnished by the lingering shadow of his early death. Still, it's important to keep Mac's memory alive, and for many that means taking repeat visits to an album many still deem to be his master work.
Though Watching Movies was notable for its pivot into a more serious tone for the once-carefree Pittsburgh emcee, that's not to say it was an entirely bleak affair. Not in the slightest, thanks to his endearing sense of humor -- not to mention that of his close friend ScHoolboy Q, with whom he collaborated on "Gees." While their collaboration here isn't exactly comedic per se, it's clear that both parties were having fun over Chuck Inglish's trippy instrumental. "Ignorant-ass white kid, but I'm still bicycling and recycling," raps Mac, lines that might have been taken from previous projects. "And I'm still eating Gummy Bear vitamins."
There's even a cameo from Larry Fisherman for good measure. Check out the duet now, especially if you're feeling nostalgic for some classic Mac Miller music. Happy anniversary to Watching Movies With The Sound Off, an album that proved transitional for Mac Miller's image and career. Where does it rank among your favorites?
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Hyper than Williams' middle son
Since I was a little one, moms had to put me on the Ritalin
Made a swisher run, crack the 40 then I lit a blunt
Told Chuck I had a couple raps, so we kicked the drums
All the best rappers are usually dead
But I'm the poison that left a widow Juliet
In the studio with candles lit and Buddha heads
Coming up with all the coldest shit, take your Sudafed