Photo from Anderson .Paak’s Instagram.
Anderson .Paak and Mac Miller were close friends and collaborators, and the former offers a heartfelt homage to the latter on “Cheers” from his album Oxnard. The track, which features Q-Tip and co-production from Dr. Dre, grapples candidly with grief and guilt, as both MCs discuss deceased friends.
On the song’s first verse, .Paak mentions Miller, and seems to wonder how he could have helped his friend despite a similarly frenetic lifestyle:
Shit, music business movin' too fast for me (God damn)
Wishin' I still had Mac wit' me
How do you tell a nigga slow it down when you livin' just as fast as ‘em?
I couldn’t understand when I see 'em stretched out cold on the pavement
Later in the track, .Paak seems to rap about wanting to have more time with Miller and also the frustration of seeing performative grief over his death from those who didn’t know him. He says:
Wishin' I could take your problems trade ‘em for a little more time wit'chu
Carry you out the bottom, the weight of the world, I got it
Sprouted wit'chu on my shoulder, the greatest honor to know ya
I’d gotta be honest wit'cha, I hate you ain’t in the picture
I hate all them fake niggas claimin’ like they gon' really miss ya
I know there’s no one to blame and maybe the point that I’m missin'
.Paak and Miller worked together on “Dang!” a single off The Divine Feminine. The song is about trying to win back a significant other, but according to Miller, .Paak’s hook is actually a tribute to fallen friends.
In an interview with Music Choice, .Paak talked about Miller’s influence on him completing Oxnard.
“I felt like he helped me complete it. I feel like he was there at the last stages,” .Paak said. “I know I was going through a lot in my head…Mac was just a huge part of my heart. He was a really, really good friend.”
At the BET Hip-Hop Awards, .Paak spoke further about Miller’s legacy.
“Mac Miller did more in 26 years than some of y'all could do in three lifetimes. He never hesitated to extend his hand to the people he loved, and is responsible for putting on so many artists,” .Paak said. “He not only influenced me, but a whole generation of new, creative, independent artists.”
Q-Tip also honors fallen friends on his verse, possibly talking about the death of A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg, who passed in March 2016. Q-Tip raps:
Look at me now, look around, last man standin'
Grown man cryin' like a child tryna understand it
So sick of sendin' flowers to all my of brother’s mommas
Don’t know what’s harder, fightin' trauma or keepin' a promise
A true confession breath is a blessin', without a question
But niggas don’t get the message until they get disconnected
.Paak was one of many prominent artists and friend’s of Miller to perform at the “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” concert in Los Angeles in October. Others included ScHoolboy Q, Vince Staples, and Thundercat, all of whom collaborated extensively with Miller.
Mac Miller appeared on Genius' series Verified to break down “Dang!”
Read the full lyrics to “Cheers” and the rest of Anderson .Paak’s discography on Genius now.
