Frankie Grande paid tribute to Mac Miller in an Instagram post, stating it was thanks to the late rapper that Grande got sober.
“I am beyond heartbroken over Malcolm’s death. He was a good friend and was wonderful to my sister,” Grande posted, referring to the relationship his sister, Ariana Grande, and Miller shared. “He was the reason I went to the rehabilitation center where I was detoxed safely from all of the drugs alcohol and medications I was taking, when I couldn’t imagine living without them. It was the place where I found the community of support that showed me that living life without drugs was a possibility and I would have never discovered that if it weren’t for Malcolm.”
Grande went on to recount all the times Miller showed up to support Grande’s sobriety milestones, treating him with gifts and “words of encouragement.”
“Addiction is a TERRIBLE disease… many people are suffering from addiction like I am and many many of them are losing,” he wrote. “Those of us who are struggling with addiction must stay strong. We must continue to work HARD on ourselves every single day and help each other. Our disease is strong but WE ARE STRONGER and I vow to work every moment of my life to have myself sober so that i may be there for others.”
Grande included several numbers to resources for anyone who may need help with substance abuse.
“Malcolm my friend, you will be dearly missed,” he added. “And I know you will be looking down on me from heaven, proudAF for every day I live my life clean and sober… 453 days and counting… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Rapper Mac Miller (born Malcolm McCormick) passed away on September 7 at the age of 26. While toxicology tests have not yet confirmed the cause of death, many suspect a drug overdose.
The “Self Care” rapper was candid about his problems with depression, drug use, and suicidal thoughts.
In his 2016 documentary, Stopped Making Excuses, the Pittsburgh rapper said there’s nothing “romantic” about abusing drugs. “I’d rather be the corny white rapper than the drugged-out mess that can’t even get out of his house,” he said. “Overdosing is just not cool. There’s no legendary romance. You don’t go down in history because you overdosed. You just die.”