It’s been eight years since Mac Miller graced fans with his experimental project Faces — saying on multiple occasions that he was “not on this Earth” during the tape’s conception.
Regarded as one of his best among fans, Faces finally became available on all digital streaming platforms, and with it, years’ worth of memories following Miller’s rise to success. In October 2021, Miller’s estate brought the mixtape to both streaming services and vinyl, as Faces debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 and sold 67,000 total units in its first commercial week.
Of that figure, its vinyl edition instantly sold out upon Faces‘ release, selling a total of 32,000 units. This marks the largest sales week on vinyl for an R&B/hip-hop effort, or rap album, since MRC Data began tracking sales in 1991, per Billboard.
Miller mainly produced his eclectic mixtape under his producer alias Larry Fisherman, with contributions from Thundercat, 9th Wonder, and Earl Sweatshirt under his alias randomblackdude.
Guest appearances on the album not only include Earl, but Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Rick Ross, Mike Jones, Vince Staples and Thundercat on the bass as well. The remastered version also comes complete with a bonus track titled “Yeah.”
Along with the record’s DSP announcement on Sept. 15, Mac’s team recruited director Sam Mason to share an animated visual for one of the mixtape’s highlights in “Colors and Shapes.” Mason spoke with Complex discussing the honor of creating a video for the late-talent and his family — along with his creative influences for the visual itself.
“To build it out, I asked Malcolm’s family to send me bits and pieces from his childhood, scenes from the town where he grew up, objects, toys from his room—little pieces of his life that I extrapolated outwards and used to inspire the story… In the abstract, it’s meant to be a video about childhood—growing up as an artist and the highs and lows of that experience. It’s sort of a look at the emotional and difficult and perilous but noble path of an artist.”
Sam Mason via Complex
Miller’s camp also included a secret folder titled “SOmeTh1ngs” at the bottom of his website, containing a plethora of bonus content such as photos, videos, posters and more. The last photo in the collection is a post that reads, “check back soon, will upload more stuff just ran out of time,” as fans can look forward to more bonus content in the future.
In light of “Faces” arriving on streaming services, Miller also appeared on Young Thug’s latest album PUNK on its outro track “Day Before.” As Mac’s camp continues to truly honor the late-rapper’s legacy tastefully, the rebirth of his classic mixtape is a sign for more “Good News” to break.
Listen to Mac Miller’s ‘Faces’ below!
