Mac Miller's Legacy: Inspiring a mental health revolution in South Africa
Every year on September 20, fans around the world celebrate “Mac Day” in honour of the late rapper Mac Miller.
This day serves as a poignant reminder of his impact on music and mental health awareness. Fans gather to share their favourite songs, memories, and how Mac’s music has helped them navigate their own struggles. In South Africa, this celebration resonates deeply, as many artists and fans alike reflect on how Mac’s openness about his mental health challenges has inspired a movement towards greater acceptance and dialogue around mental wellness.
As South Africa continues to grapple with its mental health crisis, Mac Day stands as a testament to the power of music in fostering community and encouraging individuals to seek help. Events and discussions held on this day not only honour Mac’s legacy but also aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health, reinforcing the message that it is okay to not be okay.
Why is this story important?
Mental health remains one of South Africa’s most pressing social challenges, particularly among the youth. As Suicide Prevention Month draws attention to the crisis, this article explores how music and public figures have become powerful tools in addressing emotional struggles that are often hidden or stigmatised.
Examining the influence of late rapper Mac Miller on South African artists like Riky Rick, AKA, Nasty C, and Amanda Black, the piece sheds light on the role of music in creating safe spaces for vulnerability. In a country where access to mental health care is limited and stigma remains high, these voices are helping to break the silence and shift the national conversation.
When Mac Miller came to South Africa
In October 2016, Mac Miller performed in Cape Town and Johannesburg to sold-out crowds. He was promoting his critically acclaimed album Watching Movies with the Sound Off. His charisma and energy on stage won over thousands of fans, many of whom were encountering his music live for the first time.
But behind the confident performer was a young man privately battling anxiety and addiction.
This contrast between the public persona and personal pain resonated deeply with South African youth, many of whom know what it means to put on a brave face while struggling in silence. His music gave voice to unspoken emotions, and his lyrics served as a mirror for listeners who felt seen, perhaps for the first time.
A Legacy that endured after death
Mac Miller’s death in 2018 from an accidental overdose stunned the global music community. But in South Africa, it did more than spark grief. It sparked a movement.
Fans revisited his lyrics through a new lens. His honesty about mental health and his deeply personal writing felt even more urgent. In a society where mental illness is often hidden, Mac’s music opened a door, encouraging conversations that are still difficult to have.
Just a few years later, South Africa experienced a similar loss with the death of Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado, a much-loved rapper, fashion icon and mental health advocate. Like Mac, Riky had spoken openly about his inner struggles. His death by suicide in 2022 shook the nation.
Riky’s widow, Bianca Naidoo, has since helped launch the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Mental Wellbeing. “This campaign is deeply personal to me because it’s rooted in the same values and energy that Riky stood for.” She said in an interview with IOL.
Artists Keeping the Conversation Alive
Mac Miller’s influence can be felt in the work of several South African musicians who have continued the conversation around mental health.
Rapper Nasty C has spoken about his experiences with anxiety. Referring to his song I’m Sorry, he explained: “I’m battling with anxiety. Struggling with my temper.” His openness has helped shift the public narrative, especially among young men, towards acceptance and vulnerability.
Kwesta, in his song Spirit, explores the emotional weight of perseverance. In a review of the track, Medium noted that it “captures the essence of keeping strong in all adversity”. A reflection of what many South Africans experience daily.
The late AKA, who publicly struggled with grief after the death of his fiancée Anele Tembe, also spoke out about his mental health. He revealed his clinical depression diagnosis and encouraged others to seek help. In a message shared on social media, he wrote: “To anybody reading this, just hang in there. Trust me.”
Amanda Black, known for her powerful vocals and deeply personal songwriting, created her album Mnyama during a period of emotional isolation. In an interview with LAMag, she said: “It’s literally about me processing what I have been running away from. I’ve bared my soul for the listener to encourage them and let them know that they will be okay.”
The Mental Health Crisis in South Africa
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), more than 60 percent of university students have experienced symptoms of depression. Yet, less than 15 percent of people living with mental illness receive treatment.
Mental healthcare remains under-funded and inaccessible, especially in rural and low-income communities.
The South African Federation for Mental Health reports that mental health receives less than five percent of the national health budget. The result is a system unable to meet the growing needs of a population under immense emotional and socio-economic pressure.
body {
font-family: ‘Inter’, sans-serif;
background-color: #F0F4F8;
}
Amplifying the Silent Struggle
Honouring Mac Miller’s Legacy in South Africa
A Legacy Celebrated: Mac Day
Every September 20th, fans around the world celebrate “Mac Day” in honour of the late rapper Mac Miller. This day serves as a poignant reminder of his impact on music and mental health awareness. In South Africa, this day resonates deeply as his honesty has inspired a movement toward greater dialogue and acceptance of mental wellness. As South Africa continues to grapple with its mental health crisis, Mac Day stands as a testament to the power of music in fostering community and encouraging individuals to seek help. Events and discussions held on this day not only honour Mac’s legacy but also aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health, reinforcing the message that it is okay to not be okay.
From Day to Night: When Mac Came to South Africa
During his 2016 visit, Mac Miller’s music resonated deeply with South African youth. Behind his confident public persona was a young man privately battling anxiety and addiction, a contrast that many here understood intimately. His music gave voice to unspoken emotions, and his lyrics served as a mirror for listeners who felt seen, perhaps for the first time.
“Hearing people sing every word from this new album, it’s crazy how music can travel so fast.”
A Legacy That Endured After Death
The Global Spark: Mac Miller
Mac Miller’s death in 2018 from an overdose stunned the world. In South Africa, it sparked a movement, with fans revisiting his lyrics through a new lens. His honesty about mental illness felt even more urgent, opening a door for difficult conversations.
The Local Echo: Riky Rick
Just a few years later, South Africa experienced a similar tragic loss with the death of Riky Rick, a much-loved rapper and mental health advocate. His death by suicide in 2022 shook the nation, bringing the conversation about the pressures on artists to the forefront.
A Legacy of Action: The Riky Rick Foundation
Riky Rick’s legacy was transformed into action. The Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism now uses creative expression as a tool for healing and provides tangible support—turning a personal tragedy into a national movement for change.
Artists Keeping the Conversation Alive
Nasty C
A global star who has been unapologetically open about his battles with anxiety, dismantling the hyper-masculine facade of hip-hop and encouraging fans to confront their own emotions.
AKA
The late icon spoke about his clinical depression diagnosis, encouraging others to seek help. His public message was simple but powerful: “To anybody reading this, just hang in there. Trust me.”
Kwesta
His introspective music, especially anthems like “Spirit,” speaks to resilience in the face of burnout and systemic adversity, transforming his art into a source of inspiration and collective strength.
Amanda Black
Through her music, particularly the song “Mnyama,” she has opened up about her own personal struggles, helping to normalize discussions around emotional pain and providing a voice for many.
The above piece highlights how his influence inspired local artists like Riky Rick, AKA, and others to speak out about their own mental health journeys.
It also uses data to illustrate the severe mental health crisis in the country, detailing the high prevalence of depression among students and the critical underfunding of mental healthcare.
Ultimately, the infographic argues that the honesty of these artists, amplified through their music, is helping to break the silence and encourage a vital public conversation about mental wellness.
Mac’s Message Lives On
During his 2016 visit to South Africa, Mac Miller expressed surprise at the reach of his music. Speaking to journalist Helen Herimbi, he said: “Hearing people sing every word from this new album, it’s crazy how music can travel so fast.”
What he may not have realised is how deeply his message would resonate not just with fans, but with fellow artists who have since carried his legacy forward.
As we mark Suicide Prevention Month, the stories of Mac Miller, Riky Rick, AKA, Amanda Black, Nasty C and others remind us that mental health is not a private matter. It’s a public one, and one we must all take seriously.
Their music provides a challenge to silence. Healing is encouraged by their honesty. Their lives, though tragically cut short in some cases, continue to inspire action.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393.