Balloonerism, an album that Mac Miller worked on back in 2014, is finally going to see the light after the rapper’s first posthumous album, Circles. As per Rolling Stone, the late singer’s family announced that the full-length album will be released on January 17 next year.
Miller’s estate released a statement revealing the big news and explaining the intent behind the upcoming release. “It is a project that was of great importance to Malcolm – to the extent that he commissioned artwork for it and discussions concerning when it should be released were had regularly, though ultimately GO:OD AM and subsequent albums ended up taking precedence,” the statement read.
It further elaborated that the project is reflective of the departed soul’s affinity for music and his courage as a musician. “Given that unofficial versions of the album have circulated online for years and that releasing Balloonerism was something that Malcolm frequently expressed being important to him, we felt it most appropriate to present an official version of the project to the world,” the statement continued.
The rapper passed away at his home in 2018 due to an unexpected drug toxicity and overdose. As per NBC News, he was provided counterfeit oxycodone drugs by Ryan Reavis, a man from Arizona who was held legally responsible for Miller’s death alongside two others.
Reavis pleaded guilty to his crimes in 2021. In 2022, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for complying with Stephen Andrew Walter’s orders to deliver the drugs to Cameron James Pettit, who allegedly sold them to Miller.
The deceased rapper’s last release was his fifth album Swimming, which would enable Miller to tour in October of the same year. However, he passed away before he could hit the road. The album went on to earn him his first Grammy nomination in 2018 for best rap album.