It is never easy to lose someone we love. The feelings of grief can hit us in waves and, in the process of it all, we are simply learning to live our life without them. As that may feel confusing or overwhelming, we fail to understand our grief is the last act of love. When we think about people we love, in most cases, we automatically associate them with the ones close to us, these are the people who hold a significancy in our life—those we’ve known and have loved in unconditional ways, the ones we have made memories with and who more than likely have always been present. 

What is not talked about enough is when we fall in love with someone, or grow a connection with someone, we may have never knew personally—someone like a famous basketball player, an actor, and, in this instance, a singer/songwriter who passes away. 

The effects of losing someone that we, as fans, admire can be just as devastating. We are thrown into shock, our hearts are made to feel like a piece of us was ripped out. The world seems a little darker and feels empty. It’s like a quietness erupts around us, and everything stands still for a moment. In talking about losing that person, a fan can often hear, “well you didn’t know them,” “Stop being irrational it’s just a famous person,” or—my favorite sarcastic remark—“stop overreacting.”

There is typically a reason to why an individual part of a fandom can feel so connected to the famous person they love and adore. Honestly, there are multiple identifiable reasons. For fans, it’s often that the top rationality is the influence, the understanding in relation to certain situations gone through, and the comfort or security confiding in that person brings. There is always a reason someone can feel attached or a sense of empathy for someone distant or close to them. 

To provide a vivid example of how individuals of a fandom can grieve, let’s talk about rap Icon Mac Miller. On January 17, 2025, this writer presented to The Canopy Club, located in Champaign, Illinois. This beautiful venue opened its doors to host a Mac Miller listening party for Mac Miller’s seventh studio album Balloonerism. This album is known as a fan favorite, however it is said that only pieces of this album were available to fans over the years and had not fully been released.

The album was officially teased to fans at Tyler The Creators Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival this past fall, ipon Balloonerism’s official release in January. The full-length was accompanied by a film based on the album by Mac Miller. The film can be streamed globally on Prime! 

As fans gathered at The Canopy Club, you could sense many emotions in the air. Feelings of sadness and wishes that it was more than just a listening party. Feelings of excitement about the new music from a favorite artist, and the profound love of a fandom that has been unable to gather together since Mac’s passing in 2018. Whatever fans were feeling this night, the Canopy Club created a safe and fun environment for all of Mac’s fans to reminisce, enjoy, and feel Mac’s presence once again take over a room. 

In the midst of Mac’s album drop of Balloonerism, it is perceived by Samuel Jerome Mason, the creator of the film, to be about growing up and racing time, along the way losing innocence. The film is made to tell the journey of life itself. “It’s created to immortalize Mac Millers distinct spirit and do his legacy justice,” Samuel said.

As this writer solely believes that every listener will perceive different takes on the film and album, Warner Records provided the opportunity for Mac to live again by offering the world such an important piece of Mac Millers music career. This album drop has provided an opportunity for fans to heal since Mac’s passing, feel reconnected and for Mac Miller fans to simply express their final acts of love to Mac in knowing this creation is the last of his beautiful life works. 

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism is available now in many forms: digitally, cassette, Cd, and vinyl. The vinyl, which was designed by Bráulio Amado with Mac’s commissioned cover art by Alim Smith,  is available as a two-LP release across two exclusive variants only available through balloonerism.com – a one-time, limited edition deluxe pressing that features a rainbow foil-wrapped slipcase with white splatter cloud vinyl and a 32-page color booklet featuring photos and lyrics as well as a limited one-time pressing that features clear vinyl.

Mac Miller

Ballonerism

January 17, 2025

(Warner Records)

1. Tambourine Dream

2. DJ’s Chord Organ (feat. SZA)

3. Do You Have A Destination?

4. 5 Dollar Pony Rides

5. Friendly Hallucinations

6. Mrs. Deborah Downer

7. Stoned

8. Shangri-La

9. Funny Papers

10. Excelsior

11. Transformations (feat. Delusional Thomas)

12. Manakins

13. Rick’s Piano

14. Tomorrow Will Never Know