SZA is reflecting on her friendship with Mac Miller following the release of his posthumous album, Balloonism.
The 35-year-old Grammy-winning artist paid tribute to the late Pittsburgh rapper on Friday (January 17), urging fans to listen to the new project, which was released on what would have been Miller’s 33rd birthday.
“I love my friends, I miss my friends,” SZA wrote on X. How right to see everything he truly is. Watch Balloonist Live now.
Miller’s estate announced in November Balloonismhis second posthumous album after 2020 boundarywill be released on January 17th via Warner Music Group. Miller died of an accidental drug overdose in 2018 at the age of 26.
Balloonism is a 14-track album that showcases Miller’s experimental approach, incorporating neo-soul and jazz influences. SZA appears on the song “DJ’s Chord Organ,” along with other guest appearances including Thundercat and Ashley All Day.
Following Miller’s death, SZA took to Instagram to express her deepest condolences. “You were the first person I met since moving here,” she wrote at the time. “You allow me to come through every day and be the person I want to be. Show up for me in ways I can never express or repay. My gratitude is boundless. I will never let you in my mind or spirit dim.
SZA recently made a resurgence on the charts with the deluxe edition of her 2022 album, Ask for helpIn early January, it regained the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart. SOS Deluxe Edition: LanaThe album, which features 15 songs, earned 130,000 equivalent album sales in the United States in the week ending January 2, according to Luminate. The album now has the longest weeks at No. 1 by a female hip-hop or R&B album since 1986 when Whitney Houston’s self-titled album spent 14 weeks at the top of the charts.
See SZA’s tribute to Mac Miller on X below.