Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller dies at age 26

Rapper Mac Miller, a Pittsburgh native who proudly represented his hometown in his music, has died at age 26.

His cause of death was not immediately confirmed.

His family released a statement about his death:

"Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26. He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time."

Miller grew up in Point Breeze. He named his first album “Blue Slide Park” in honor of the playground at Frick Park, where he played as a child. His most recent album, "Swimming," was released last month.

"We are deeply saddened to have learned about the tragic passing of 2010 Pittsburgh Allderdice alum Mac Miller.  We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," a release from Pittsburgh Public Schools said.

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His rise, along with fellow rapper Wiz Khalifa, put Pittsburgh on the hip hop map in the last decade.

Miller has talked often about his struggle with drugs and alcohol.

Warner Bros. Records released the following statement from co-chairman and COO Tom Corson:

"All of us at Warner Bros. Records are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Mac Miller's untimely passing. Mac was a hugely gifted and inspiring artist, with a pioneering spirit and a sense of humor that touched everyone he met. Mac's death is a devastating loss and cuts short a life and a talent of huge potential, where the possibilities felt limitless. We join all of his fans across the globe in extending our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends."

He dated pop singer Ariana Grande for almost two years until their breakup this spring.

Fans in his hometown were still trying to process his loss late Friday.

"Just watching him grow from the kid who went to Alderdice, just a regular Pittsburgh kid, to globally known as one of the top artists in the worldm" said fan Adam Shoor.

Cox Media Group