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Most Dope: The Extraordinary Life of Mac Miller
The first biography of rapper Mac Miller, the Pittsburgh cult-favorite-turned-rap-superstar who touched the lives of millions before tragically passing away at the age of 26.
“ Most Dope works as a reminder of Mac’s passion for hip-hop and his gifts as a MC. But the new book from music journalist Paul Cantor absolutely soars as a cautionary tale about drug addiction.” — Esquire
Malcolm James McCormick was born on January 19, 1992. He began making music at a young age, and by 15 was already releasing mixtapes. One of the first true viral superstars, his early records earned him a rabid legion of die-hard fans—as well as a few noteworthy detractors. But despite his undeniable success, Miller was plagued by struggles with substance abuse and depression, which fueled his raw and genre-defying music yet ultimately led to his demise.
Through detailed reporting and interviews with dozens of Miller’s confidants, Paul Cantor brings you to leafy Pittsburgh, seductive Los Angeles, and frenzied New York, where you will meet Miller’s collaborators, producers, business partners, best friends, and even his roommates. Traveling deep into Miller’s inner circle, behind the curtain, the velvet ropes, and studio doors, this is the story of a passionate, gifted young man who achieved his life’s ambition, only to be undone by his personal demons.
Most Dope is part love letter, part cautionary tale, never shying away from the raw, visceral way Mac Miller lived his life.
“ Most Dope works as a reminder of Mac’s passion for hip-hop and his gifts as a MC. But the new book from music journalist Paul Cantor absolutely soars as a cautionary tale about drug addiction.” — Esquire
Malcolm James McCormick was born on January 19, 1992. He began making music at a young age, and by 15 was already releasing mixtapes. One of the first true viral superstars, his early records earned him a rabid legion of die-hard fans—as well as a few noteworthy detractors. But despite his undeniable success, Miller was plagued by struggles with substance abuse and depression, which fueled his raw and genre-defying music yet ultimately led to his demise.
Through detailed reporting and interviews with dozens of Miller’s confidants, Paul Cantor brings you to leafy Pittsburgh, seductive Los Angeles, and frenzied New York, where you will meet Miller’s collaborators, producers, business partners, best friends, and even his roommates. Traveling deep into Miller’s inner circle, behind the curtain, the velvet ropes, and studio doors, this is the story of a passionate, gifted young man who achieved his life’s ambition, only to be undone by his personal demons.
Most Dope is part love letter, part cautionary tale, never shying away from the raw, visceral way Mac Miller lived his life.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published January 18, 2022
378 people are currently reading
4348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
January 8, 2022
Why is everyone saying that this book sucks and the author had no access to Macs circle?I’m confused. He spoke to all of his close friends, everyone in the inner circle except the parents and brother, who declined, I get it. And I know they weren’t happy. But everyone else talked to him? I’m sorry I don’t get it. Cantor appears to be a real fan and moved by macs story. Cash grab? I’m not convinced. Also I’m not sure once goes into the books business for cash. Kinda makes you wonder if it was a ruse to get people to only support the book of Mac? But I digress…
I got an advanced copy of this book and of course I was skeptical but honestly….I can’t hate, this book really resonated with me. It’s exactly what I was looking for in a biography of such a beloved star. Unlike The Book Of Mac, which was really not good and frankly wasn’t even about Mac but more the author, Cantor really digs into Macs background, influences, trajectory, triumphs and failures to weave together an emotional, often heart-wrenching coming of age story. The original interviews were deep — I really felt for all these guys — and the piecing together of numerous sources because let’s face it — Mac was an open book! Which is what we all love about him — were done really well. I loved the trips cantor takes down different lanes that build context around Macs life — Pittsburgh, Wiz, white rappers, etc — to provide a complete picture of his nuances, where he came from and the things that made him who he was. Sure, he delves into the drugs and there were clearly a lot of people around him who were worried and who loved him. Ultimately though, he was gonna do what he was gonna do, and in the end, this book is a serenade to Macs talent, charisma and impact, and builds the case for why there is a hole in hip hop, music…the world, without him. The end had me in tears. RIP legend.
I got an advanced copy of this book and of course I was skeptical but honestly….I can’t hate, this book really resonated with me. It’s exactly what I was looking for in a biography of such a beloved star. Unlike The Book Of Mac, which was really not good and frankly wasn’t even about Mac but more the author, Cantor really digs into Macs background, influences, trajectory, triumphs and failures to weave together an emotional, often heart-wrenching coming of age story. The original interviews were deep — I really felt for all these guys — and the piecing together of numerous sources because let’s face it — Mac was an open book! Which is what we all love about him — were done really well. I loved the trips cantor takes down different lanes that build context around Macs life — Pittsburgh, Wiz, white rappers, etc — to provide a complete picture of his nuances, where he came from and the things that made him who he was. Sure, he delves into the drugs and there were clearly a lot of people around him who were worried and who loved him. Ultimately though, he was gonna do what he was gonna do, and in the end, this book is a serenade to Macs talent, charisma and impact, and builds the case for why there is a hole in hip hop, music…the world, without him. The end had me in tears. RIP legend.
May 9, 2022
Thanks so much to Abrams Press for an ARC hardcover of Most Dope.
If you’ve been writing for decades for music magazines, specifically holding the short attention span of teens and 20-somethings year after year, you have to be an excellent writer, and author Paul Cantor never fails to deliver in such a personal and tragic life of Mac Miller in Most Dope. Now I’m not highly into rap but I can appreciate the cleverness of it’s “best of the best”, and the author snakes us through Mac’s never-boring life, and any brilliant novel with it’s made up stories doesn’t come close to topping Mac’s truths. If you’re looking for a truly great read this summer, don’t hesitate to dive in—but don’t expect to come up for air any time soon because there’s no life preservers for us readers of Most Dope any more than Mac getting a life preserver to prevent his final days. A must read.
If you’ve been writing for decades for music magazines, specifically holding the short attention span of teens and 20-somethings year after year, you have to be an excellent writer, and author Paul Cantor never fails to deliver in such a personal and tragic life of Mac Miller in Most Dope. Now I’m not highly into rap but I can appreciate the cleverness of it’s “best of the best”, and the author snakes us through Mac’s never-boring life, and any brilliant novel with it’s made up stories doesn’t come close to topping Mac’s truths. If you’re looking for a truly great read this summer, don’t hesitate to dive in—but don’t expect to come up for air any time soon because there’s no life preservers for us readers of Most Dope any more than Mac getting a life preserver to prevent his final days. A must read.
May 7, 2021
THIS BOOK IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY MAC'S ESTATE OR FAMILY. Essentially, this author is trying to capitalize on the death of Mac Miller and the interest in Donna-Claire Chesman's recently-announced "The Book of Mac: Remembering Mac Miller", which DOES have the authorization of Mac's family and estate. This book by Paul Cantor is not authorized or endorsed by Mac's family and has been written by a writer with whom Mac did not have a prior relationship. His family even went as far as to insist that the author not write the book, claiming they were uncomfortable with it, yet he chose to proceed anyways. The tentative release date for Paul Cantor's unauthorized book is January 18, 2022. which is the day before Mac's birthday.....I rest my case. I implore you not to purchase the book and to redirect your purchase to the legitimate one written by Donna. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. The legitimate book written by Donna-Claire Chesman is scheduled for release on October 26, 2021.
January 25, 2022
I know the family was discouraging fans from buying this book but, this book is what you were hoping “The Book of Mac” was gonna be.
It gives an inner look on Mac’s journey to becoming Mac Miller, his career and his works. It was respectfully written and the insight from his close friends made you feel like a fly on the wall watching the memories they shared.
This book delivered on everything I was hoping to get out of reading about Mac Miller as an artist and person.
It gives an inner look on Mac’s journey to becoming Mac Miller, his career and his works. It was respectfully written and the insight from his close friends made you feel like a fly on the wall watching the memories they shared.
This book delivered on everything I was hoping to get out of reading about Mac Miller as an artist and person.
January 14, 2022
Look, i am one of the biggest Mac Miller fans on planet earth. i have three Mac tattoos (including his logo, on my leg, and its prtty fucking tight). i thought this book was gonna hella sketch b4 i opened it up. Then im reading it and im like nah this is not at all what i thought it was gonna be, its high key amazing and might be the most dopest of any of the mac shit i have ever seen. rly captures what i think all the mac heads love abt him and felt like i was right there with him. so cool to see his friends get to tell their stories too. this book is the shit. i love it.
July 8, 2025
this was an incredible biography. It's a shame this book wasn't endorsed by Mac's family.
Re-experiencing Mac's career and growth through the lens of Cantor was a worthwhile journey. His knowledge of hip-hop added meaningful depth to the story. The personal stories from Mac's friends and collaborators added an incredible perspective and gave me additional admiration for Mac's creativity and dedication.
My one issue with the book is Cantor's assertion that drugs fueled Mac's creativity and recent music. I side with Josh Berg on this one: Mac accomplished what he did **in spite of** his demons, not because of them.
Also, not to throw unnecessary shade at the 'other' book about Mac, but this is a real biography while the other is not much more than a diary of a super fan.
Re-experiencing Mac's career and growth through the lens of Cantor was a worthwhile journey. His knowledge of hip-hop added meaningful depth to the story. The personal stories from Mac's friends and collaborators added an incredible perspective and gave me additional admiration for Mac's creativity and dedication.
My one issue with the book is Cantor's assertion that drugs fueled Mac's creativity and recent music. I side with Josh Berg on this one: Mac accomplished what he did **in spite of** his demons, not because of them.
Also, not to throw unnecessary shade at the 'other' book about Mac, but this is a real biography while the other is not much more than a diary of a super fan.
May 7, 2021
DO NOT SUPPORT THIS AUTHOR OR BUY THIS BOOK!!! The family of Mac Miller announced that Paul Cantor has created a biography of Mac against the ask of the family not to do so. The family made a statement that Paul had no relationship with Mac and no family or individuals in Mac’s life were in support of, nor did they provide any information to Paul. The book that the family and estate DOES endorse and support with accurate information from primary sources in Mac’s life is called: The Book of Mac written by Donna-Claire Chesman. Paul, capitalizing on someone’s death is disgusting. Shame on you.
January 20, 2022
This is a good book, period. Read it before making a judgement. There are folks in the thread here like Eric Thomas trying to bring this book down. Don't pay attention to them and give this book a chance. You will love it! I just read it and couldn't keep the book down.
January 20, 2022
This expertly researched coming-of-age story details all the struggles and triumphs of Mac's short life, painting a poignant portrait of a young man who craved respect and never stopped searching.
January 20, 2022
I highly recommend this book to Mac Miller fans. It's beautifully written. The author took great care in capturing memories from Mac's closest friends to make sense of the life lived by this super talented artist. It gives us a deeper understanding of who Mac Miller was and pays homage to an artist lost too soon. I loved reading this book and recommend it to anyone who truly loved him and his music.
January 7, 2022
The reviews on Goodreads for this book are so at odds with reality that it is hard to know what to make of them. I obtained an early copy. I can tell you, even the reviews that appear legit are suspect. They repeat talking points about the book made elsewhere. They DO NOT reflect the content of the book AT ALL. Anyone who spends more than ten minutes reading it would see that.
I mention the reviews because I saw them after I read the book. And the reviews for "Most Dope" make me feel bad for Mac. He is no longer here, but you can tell from the opening pages of "Most Dope" that the book was written with such a deep, abiding respect for him and all that he went through. To see anyone write this book off pre-maturely is just beyond sad. This is the reason we can't have nice things.
Let's be honest. Go into the book with an open mind. That's what Mac would want. He says it in the book about his music. "Don't have expectations." If you do that, "Most Dope" is the closest you could get to Mac, without actually being friends with him. It tells his story, but in the context of the larger world he inhabited. Where he came from, what he did, who he did it with, and what he meant.
I loved it. You probably will too.
I mention the reviews because I saw them after I read the book. And the reviews for "Most Dope" make me feel bad for Mac. He is no longer here, but you can tell from the opening pages of "Most Dope" that the book was written with such a deep, abiding respect for him and all that he went through. To see anyone write this book off pre-maturely is just beyond sad. This is the reason we can't have nice things.
Let's be honest. Go into the book with an open mind. That's what Mac would want. He says it in the book about his music. "Don't have expectations." If you do that, "Most Dope" is the closest you could get to Mac, without actually being friends with him. It tells his story, but in the context of the larger world he inhabited. Where he came from, what he did, who he did it with, and what he meant.
I loved it. You probably will too.
September 2, 2021
A tour de force of biography writing that completely unpacks the mystery of Mac Miller.
January 20, 2022
Great book by a seasoned, objective journalist who dives deep into Mac's complicated legacy. Don't feed the trolls on here -- this is a real account of Mac Miller's life by a journalist who did not "pay" for access to get the full story.
January 18, 2022
This is the best book I have read in a long time.....Wow what a read. Don't miss this if you are a Mac Miller fan.
January 18, 2022
I thought this was a very fair representation of Mac Miller's story. Very well written and I really appreciated the efforts by the author on telling the story.
June 23, 2022
By now, the superfluous drama surrounding this book's release as contrasted with that of Donna-Claire Chesman's estate approved work, The Book of Mac, has calmed, and the general consensus of most level-headed Mac Miller fans is that this is the essential biography of the most dopest white rapper the game has ever seen (sorry, Em).
Adoringly written and carefully considered in its respect for Mac's memory when regarding the sensitive subject of his addictions, Paul Cantor is very obviously a huge fan, and perhaps more so than any of the rest of us. I loved taking a trip down memory lane to the mixtape/blogging era of hip-hop, heading back to 2009 and refamiliarizing myself with the process of checking the hottest new tracks off 2dopeboyz or hopping on datpiff to rip Wiz Khalifa's Burn After Rolling. Cantor's tone is always straightforward, taking care to put Mac first, whether by describing the settings he came up in or his influences.
While he likely played it too straight to make this anything truly special (I would've appreciated a deeper exploration of Mac's demons but understand the author's wish to respect the family), it is a very worthy biograph of one of my favorite musical artists. I don't have a ton to say about this one, but I definitely fucked with it.
Adoringly written and carefully considered in its respect for Mac's memory when regarding the sensitive subject of his addictions, Paul Cantor is very obviously a huge fan, and perhaps more so than any of the rest of us. I loved taking a trip down memory lane to the mixtape/blogging era of hip-hop, heading back to 2009 and refamiliarizing myself with the process of checking the hottest new tracks off 2dopeboyz or hopping on datpiff to rip Wiz Khalifa's Burn After Rolling. Cantor's tone is always straightforward, taking care to put Mac first, whether by describing the settings he came up in or his influences.
While he likely played it too straight to make this anything truly special (I would've appreciated a deeper exploration of Mac's demons but understand the author's wish to respect the family), it is a very worthy biograph of one of my favorite musical artists. I don't have a ton to say about this one, but I definitely fucked with it.
May 7, 2021
I’m giving this text a negative rating due to the fact that it was published against the wishes of Mac Miller’s family and friends. Disrespecting the loved ones of the very subject you’re writing on is academic dishonesty.
January 20, 2022
I have just received this book in the mail, I’ve started to read it and I’m very impressed so far, I’m a huge Mac Miller fan so it’s fascinating to read about his life because he was a very private celebrity… as far as it not being approved by his family or estate, It has nothing to do with the quality of the book and I don’t think it’s fair that people are giving it 1 star reviews without even reading it!
January 27, 2022
If you'd like to make up your own mind on weather this book should have been written or why it was condemned by Mac's family, I suggest you read the link below.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacMiller/co...
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacMiller/co...
January 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it was hard not to read cover to cover. Not knowing much about Mac other than his music, I found all the detailed research and stories that were woven throughout the book really captivating. Very well written!
January 18, 2022
I just heard the author interviewed on WNYC. He sounded sincere and seemed to know what he's talking about. Really raved about the wonders of Pittsburgh and the neighborhood where Miller grew up, which I appreciated since I live in the same neighborhood.
Re: the family not authorizing it ... I just read a majestic biography about Andrew Mellon, another Pittsburgh. The writer reveals many details about Mellon and the whole clan, warts and all. I've also read biographies of the Mellon family written by the patriarch, Thomas Mellon, and Paul Mellon, who was Andrew Mellon's son. Neither of them was nearly as interesting or honest as the biography written by an outsider. Maybe the author of "Most Dope" is a carpetbagger, or maybe just an honest outsider. Time ... and actually reading the book ... will tell.
Re: the family not authorizing it ... I just read a majestic biography about Andrew Mellon, another Pittsburgh. The writer reveals many details about Mellon and the whole clan, warts and all. I've also read biographies of the Mellon family written by the patriarch, Thomas Mellon, and Paul Mellon, who was Andrew Mellon's son. Neither of them was nearly as interesting or honest as the biography written by an outsider. Maybe the author of "Most Dope" is a carpetbagger, or maybe just an honest outsider. Time ... and actually reading the book ... will tell.
May 7, 2021
Unfortunately this book is an enormous disappointment . Not only is the author a low life scum who is trying to make money for himself, but the book sucks. Instead support the Mac Miller estate by purchasing “The Book of Mac Miller” by Donna -Claire Chessman which directly endorsed by the Mac Miller Family!
July 17, 2025
it shouldn’t come as a surprise that i LOVE mac, butttttt rumor has it that his family does not approve of this book - hence the 3 stars
alsoooooo some information from here is not super accurate; for example, being from pittsburgh, you’re not fooling me the point breeze area is nice
alsoooooo some information from here is not super accurate; for example, being from pittsburgh, you’re not fooling me the point breeze area is nice
May 7, 2021
You're trying to capitalize on Mac Millers name by releasing this book a day before his birthday without the approval of his estate. You're doing this to try to snake sales from another book coming out around the same time about Mac Miller that was approved by his estate and family. You should be ashamed to release this cash grab. This is most not dope.
The Book of Mac by Donna-Claire Chesman is the one you're looking for! Go support that one 😊
The Book of Mac by Donna-Claire Chesman is the one you're looking for! Go support that one 😊
May 7, 2021
Do not read or purchase this book. Paul Cantor was asked not to write or publish this book by the family of Mac Miller yet he did it anyways. He used no credible sources and had no contact with anyone actually in mac’s life.
May 7, 2021
Mac Miller's family and friends have come out and said this book is NOT authorized or endorsed. This is an attempted cash grab from a "writer" who did not know or have any relation ship with Mac. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.
May 7, 2021
This book was published against Mac’s family’s wishes. The author had no affiliation with Mac. So horrible
September 9, 2021
good book.
January 26, 2022
If there was ever a glaring example of why writers/authors should be given leeway to do what they want to do, and why everyone should simply stay the hell out of their way, it is the case of "Most Dope: The Extraordinary Life of Mac Miller," and all the unnecessary — and frankly, absolutely frightening — drama surrounding it.
You can read about that stuff elsewhere, or see it written all in these comments (most of them left by angry trolls), but as the reviewer for the New York Times pointed out, "Most Dope" is indeed loving and tender. It's a very deep and probing book, operating on a level way beyond the surface, but I'm not sure if everyone will get it, or it will go over their heads.
I really like the way it is written though. The prose is very sparse and simple, and it moves quickly. A lot happens without you realizing it's happening. The beginning alone, where the history of his neighborhood is told, flies by in an instant. You learn about two hundred years of development in the span of a few pages, and by then you're just totally in it. I'm a history buff, so I loved that part.
I also really liked the parts where you learn about what went into making certain songs. Usually when people write about this stuff, it's very technical, and I have trouble following along. Here, it's broken down in very simple language, and it sounds almost just like someone talking about music plainly. You don't need to be a genius to decipher what's happening.
As for the more ... ahem... uncomfortable parts. I don't know what to say. To me, it didn't make me uncomfortable, and it doesn't seem any different from reading a book about the Civil War and learning about all the different atrocities, or learning about any other famous person and their various eccentricities. If none of these things happened, there wouldn't be a book to be written about this guy.
In the end, It felt like Cantor handled Mac's story with a lot of care. I just feel sorry he had to put up with such immature nonsense to tell it. We need to do better, or stuff like this won't get written again.
You can read about that stuff elsewhere, or see it written all in these comments (most of them left by angry trolls), but as the reviewer for the New York Times pointed out, "Most Dope" is indeed loving and tender. It's a very deep and probing book, operating on a level way beyond the surface, but I'm not sure if everyone will get it, or it will go over their heads.
I really like the way it is written though. The prose is very sparse and simple, and it moves quickly. A lot happens without you realizing it's happening. The beginning alone, where the history of his neighborhood is told, flies by in an instant. You learn about two hundred years of development in the span of a few pages, and by then you're just totally in it. I'm a history buff, so I loved that part.
I also really liked the parts where you learn about what went into making certain songs. Usually when people write about this stuff, it's very technical, and I have trouble following along. Here, it's broken down in very simple language, and it sounds almost just like someone talking about music plainly. You don't need to be a genius to decipher what's happening.
As for the more ... ahem... uncomfortable parts. I don't know what to say. To me, it didn't make me uncomfortable, and it doesn't seem any different from reading a book about the Civil War and learning about all the different atrocities, or learning about any other famous person and their various eccentricities. If none of these things happened, there wouldn't be a book to be written about this guy.
In the end, It felt like Cantor handled Mac's story with a lot of care. I just feel sorry he had to put up with such immature nonsense to tell it. We need to do better, or stuff like this won't get written again.
May 7, 2021
Please do not support this book. Statement from Malcolm's family:
It has come to the attention of the family and friends of Mac Miller that a new book called Most Dope: The Extraordinary Lift of Mac Miller by Paul Cantor has recently been made available for pre-order. This book is not authorized or endorsed by Malcom's family and has been written by a writer with whom Malcolm did not have a relationship. Furthermore, the writer had no meaningful access to those that were closest to Malcolm - friends, family, and collaborators etc. In fact, the write of this book was made aware at the outset of the process of writing this book that the family and friends of Malcolm were uncomfortable with him authoring this biography, yet he chose to proceed against our polite insistence that he not do disservice to Malcolm's legacy through writing a book without legitimate primary sources.
While we can't definitively speak to the intention, we cannot help but feel the timing of it being made available for pre-order is mean to capitalize on the interest in Donna-Claire Chesman's recently-announced The Book of Mac with the expectation that people will confuse this book for Donna's which does have the support of the estate and includes extensive interviews with the people whom Malcolm held dear.
What we can say definitively, however, is that Most Dope: The Extraordinary Life of Mac Miller's planned release date of January 18th, the day before Malcolm's birthday, is not accidental. We have been consistently disappointed by the author and publisher's decision to pursue this book given their full understanding of our discomfort with the circumstances under which it was authored, but utilizing Malcolm's birthdate as a marketing tool is exploitative and incredibly disappointing.
With that in mind we urge those that wish to support Malcolm and his legacy to abstain from purchasing this book.
It has come to the attention of the family and friends of Mac Miller that a new book called Most Dope: The Extraordinary Lift of Mac Miller by Paul Cantor has recently been made available for pre-order. This book is not authorized or endorsed by Malcom's family and has been written by a writer with whom Malcolm did not have a relationship. Furthermore, the writer had no meaningful access to those that were closest to Malcolm - friends, family, and collaborators etc. In fact, the write of this book was made aware at the outset of the process of writing this book that the family and friends of Malcolm were uncomfortable with him authoring this biography, yet he chose to proceed against our polite insistence that he not do disservice to Malcolm's legacy through writing a book without legitimate primary sources.
While we can't definitively speak to the intention, we cannot help but feel the timing of it being made available for pre-order is mean to capitalize on the interest in Donna-Claire Chesman's recently-announced The Book of Mac with the expectation that people will confuse this book for Donna's which does have the support of the estate and includes extensive interviews with the people whom Malcolm held dear.
What we can say definitively, however, is that Most Dope: The Extraordinary Life of Mac Miller's planned release date of January 18th, the day before Malcolm's birthday, is not accidental. We have been consistently disappointed by the author and publisher's decision to pursue this book given their full understanding of our discomfort with the circumstances under which it was authored, but utilizing Malcolm's birthdate as a marketing tool is exploitative and incredibly disappointing.
With that in mind we urge those that wish to support Malcolm and his legacy to abstain from purchasing this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews