SZA took to social media on January 17 to honor her late friend and collaborator, Mac Miller, as his posthumous album Balloonerism was released. The album, which was originally recorded in 2014, was a project that held great significance for Miller and is now being shared with fans in its official form.
“I love my friend, I miss my friend,” SZA wrote on X. “Grateful he saw something in me before most and treated me with love from day 1. Wish he could see how right about everything he truly was. Please go stream Balloonerism RIGHT NOW.”
Mac Miller’s family announced in November 2024 that Balloonerism would be released through Warner Records on January 17, 2025. The album was created around the time of Miller’s Faces release in 2014, alongside other major works such as Watching Movies with the Sound Off and GO:OD AM. The rapper had expressed a deep desire to share the album with the world before his untimely death in 2018, and after years of unofficial versions circulating online, his family decided to release an official version of the project.
The 14-track album features just two collaborators: SZA and Miller’s alter ego, Delusional Thomas. The project exemplifies Miller’s musical versatility and fearlessness in experimenting with different sounds. His family described the album as a representation of his creative ambition, as it spans multiple genres and showcases his artistic growth.
SZA and Mac Miller’s friendship dates back to 2014, when they first performed together at Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles. Around that time, Miller produced two tracks on SZA’s Z EP, “Ur” and “Warm Winds,” cementing their bond. In a 2014 interview, Miller praised SZA’s talent, saying, “I don’t think this young lady knows how amazing she is.”
After Miller’s passing, SZA paid tribute to him in various ways, including performing at a tribute concert and sharing heartfelt messages on social media. On the second anniversary of his death, she wrote: “Thank you for allowing me in your space to discover myself and believing in me the entire time.”
Now, with the release of Balloonerism, fans can finally experience the music that Mac Miller had worked so hard to share with the world. The album serves as both a personal tribute to the artist and a gift to his loyal fans.
Fans can stream Balloonerism now, as they remember Mac Miller’s legacy and the profound impact he had on the music world.
