In 2019, Goldlink, a rapper known for his 2014 mixtape The God Complex, made a controversial post about the late Mac Miller that shocked the music world and left a permanent mark on his career.
This incident occurred about a year after Mac Miller tragically passed away from an overdose. While tributes to the beloved rapper flooded social media, Goldlink’s post stood out for all the wrong reasons.
It not only sparked outrage but also led to a career-damaging backlash that seemed impossible to recover from.
To understand the full impact of Goldlink’s actions, it’s important to look at his relationship with Mac Miller, the context surrounding his post, and the aftermath that followed.
Goldlink’s career had seen steady growth before the incident. After The God Complex, he released his follow-up mixtape And After That, We Didn’t Talk in 2015, which continued to build his reputation in the industry.
He was gaining recognition, but it was during his connection with Mac Miller that things took a pivotal turn. The two artists first crossed paths in 2015 when Mac Miller brought Goldlink on his Good AM tour, which also featured other emerging artists like Earthgang and Doo Wop.
For Goldlink, this was a significant opportunity that helped introduce him to a broader audience, especially Mac Miller’s fans, who quickly became loyal to Goldlink as well. Mac Miller had always been someone who lifted up other artists, and his support was invaluable in giving Goldlink more visibility.
As Goldlink’s career progressed, he saw success with his third mixtape At What Cost in 2017, which featured collaborations with artists like Steve Lacy and Kaytranada.
The song “Crew” from this project went on to become a massive hit, eventually earning seven platinum certifications.
But despite these achievements, Goldlink’s relationship with Mac Miller seemed to take a turn. While publicly they were friendly, it was clear that there were underlying tensions, which Goldlink did not express at the time.
Mac Miller’s death in September 2018 left the entire music community in shock. His passing was a devastating loss, not just because of his talent but because of his kind and genuine nature.
Mac had struggled with substance abuse, and this was reflected in his music, but his passing still hit hard for fans, friends, and fellow artists. His legacy was immense, and his death caused an outpouring of grief from all corners of the music world.
Celebrities like Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Ariana Grande expressed their sorrow, and fans held vigils in his honor.
Goldlink, too, mourned Mac’s death, speaking publicly about how Mac had been one of the first artists to offer him a platform.
During an interview with Colors, Goldlink praised Mac for believing in him when no one else did. However, this public display of gratitude would later be overshadowed by an Instagram post Goldlink made in 2019.
The post Goldlink shared in 2019 was his attempt at a tribute, but it came across as anything but respectful. In the message, Goldlink began by writing, “I’d be lying if I said I was surprised to hear that you died on us,” which immediately set a negative tone.
The phrasing implied that Goldlink had somehow expected Mac Miller’s death, which came off as both insensitive and presumptuous.
He continued, “I think what made you and I special is that we weren’t always on the best terms,” referencing their complicated relationship.
He mentioned that during their time touring together, Goldlink had played Mac Miller his album, and although Mac had loved it, they never spoke after that.
The situation became more controversial when Goldlink accused Mac Miller of copying his style on The Divine Feminine, an album released in 2016 that marked a departure from Mac’s earlier work.
Goldlink suggested that Mac’s album followed a similar blueprint to his own, implying that Mac had taken inspiration from him without acknowledging it.
Goldlink wrote about how he had always admired Mac’s work, but his words quickly took a turn for the worse.
He stated that after Mac’s success, he tried to reach out to him, but Mac ignored him. The post even mentioned a moment at Coachella when Goldlink felt like Mac was avoiding him, despite their friendly history.
This was a sensitive issue, especially since Mac was no longer around to defend himself. By accusing him of copying his style and bringing up their personal issues so publicly, Goldlink alienated fans, fellow artists, and anyone who had ever admired Mac’s legacy.
The post seemed to come from a place of jealousy and bitterness rather than genuine remembrance, and it angered many people who saw it as a disrespectful attempt to insert himself into the conversation about Mac Miller’s death.
The backlash was swift and unforgiving. Anderson .Paak, a frequent collaborator of both artists, responded to Goldlink’s post, expressing his anger and confusion.
He publicly criticized Goldlink for using Mac’s death as an opportunity to make a point, saying, “Why would you do it?” Anderson .Paak pointed out that Mac had helped Goldlink early in his career, bringing him on tour and giving him opportunities that he otherwise might not have had.
To accuse Mac of stealing from him, especially after his passing, seemed not only wrong but deeply hurtful. Anderson .Paak also highlighted the hypocrisy in Goldlink’s post, mentioning how Mac had been the first to show him support and even gave him ownership of their music, unlike many other artists who were more focused on money and royalties.
Goldlink’s post was seen by many as a self-serving attempt to position himself as a victim of Mac’s success, which was a stark contrast to the humble and supportive persona that Mac Miller had built over the years.
The anger was palpable, and many of Goldlink’s fans began to distance themselves from him. His actions also prompted reactions from other figures in the hip-hop community.
Vince Staples weighed in, echoing Anderson .Paak’s sentiments, emphasizing how Mac Miller had always been generous and selfless, whereas Goldlink’s accusations appeared petty and vindictive.
The general consensus was that Mac Miller had never acted in a way that would justify Goldlink’s claims. If anything, Mac had been a model of generosity, helping fellow artists without ever expecting anything in return.
In the aftermath of the post, Goldlink attempted to defend himself. He addressed the controversy at a live show, explaining that the post was meant to be a form of catharsis, a way to express his grief and frustrations. However, the damage was done.
The public had already made up their mind, and no amount of explanation could undo the harm caused by the insensitive nature of his words.
Goldlink’s career took a major hit as a result, with many fans abandoning him and other artists distancing themselves from him.
He faced accusations of being disrespectful, narcissistic, and opportunistic. His actions led to a broader discussion about the ethics of mourning and the responsibility that artists have when speaking about their peers, especially after death.
Ultimately, Goldlink’s post revealed a deep sense of resentment and jealousy, emotions that seemed out of place in a time meant for reflection and honoring a lost friend.
The fallout from the incident marked a turning point in his career. Once a promising figure in the world of hip-hop, Goldlink became a cautionary tale about how one poorly executed post can undo years of work and tarnish a reputation permanently.
It also showed the importance of respect and the fine line between expressing personal emotions and respecting the memory of others.
For many, Goldlink’s post will forever be associated with the worst aspects of his character—selfishness, jealousy, and a lack of understanding about the deep impact Mac Miller had on the music world. It was a moment that defined his career for the worse, and it’s unlikely that he will ever fully recover from it.
