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TCP caught up with 21 year old rapper, Mac Miller, before his show in Cleveland on Tuesday to get a chance to peel back the layers of the Pittsburgh native. After answering the phone with R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” playing in the background, he chatted about his new album, sweet dance moves and the video game he just beat.
First off, it’s National Tequila Day. Have you celebrated yet?
No, but I guess I will now. Hell yeah.
Your new album is described as more personal than your first one, was this sort of your coming-of-age record?
I don’t know. I can’t really describe it much. It’s really just the music I wanted to make right now.
Where does the album title, “Watching Movies with the Sound Off,” come from?
Part of it has to do with literally watching movies with the sound off. A lot of it just deals with creating your own reality. That’s just what we do in the studio.
Speaking of being in the studio, what was it like working with top producers, like Pharrell, Flying Lotus and Diplo?
They’re all great guys. They’re just good people to make music with, and people that, you know, understand my vision and wanna help make it come to life, which is awesome.
You did some producing of your own this as well, correct?
This is the most I’ve produced on a record. I’ve done things here and there on every project, but this is the most I’ve taken on.
Does Larry Lovestein [Mac Miller’s jazz musician alterego–check out his exclusives on iTunes] plan on crooning to the ladies during a “Mac Miller” performance?
I would love to bring it out. I did do a show before with it, but the performing the album is the majority of the shows on tour right now. Of course we’ll throw some old songs in there, but the new album has been performing pretty awesome.
Do you have a favorite song to perform?
My favorite song to perform would be “Aquarium,” “OK” or “The Question.” I think they represent different parts of the show. “Aquarium” is very serene-sounding, “O.K.” is the one where everyone goes crazy and “The Question” is when I bring out my guitar.
Do you think people coming to your show expect you to come out with a guitar on or do you think that surprises people?
I don’t know. I mean, certain people know that I play guitar, but I think a lot of people are surprised, which is cool.
Is there anything else that surprises people when they come to see you?
I do some pretty awesome dancing–the Two Step and the A-Town stomp [are my favorites.] And a little bit of the heel toe.
Is there anything that you must have with you on tour?
A good DVD collection, comfortable blankets and good video games.
What game are you into right now?
I just beat The Last of Us, literally right before this phone call. It’s pretty incredible. Not that great of an ending, but an incredible game.
So what should crowds expect at the show tonight?
Just come and be prepared to have a good time. It’s a good show with a lot of awesome acts performing.
Mac Miller, along with Chance the Rapper, The Internet and Vince Staples, will perform at Headliners Thursday at 8pm.
