Mac Miller’s family have announced that they will release the late rapper’s final album later this month.
The musician – who used to date singer Ariana Grande – died in September 2018 at the age of 26 following what a coroner found was an accidental drug overdose.
On Wednesday, Miller’s family posted a message on his Instagram saying that he had been working on an album when he died, and that it was important for the rapper “for the world to hear it”.
The message said: “Here we are. The act of having to write this at all feels surreal.
“At the time of his passing, Malcolm was well into the process of recording his companion album to Swimming, entitled Circles.
“Two different styles complementing each other, completing a circle — Swimming in Circles was the concept.
“He had been working with Jon Brion, who after hearing some early versions of songs, cleared his calendar to help Malcolm fine-tune them.
“After his passing, Jon dedicated himself to finishing Circles based on his time and conversations with Malcolm.
“We are eternally grateful to Jon and to those who gave their best to the difficult and emotional task of putting out this body of work.”
The post went on: “This is a complicated process that has no right answer. No clear path.
“We simply know that it was important to Malcolm for the world to hear it.
“One of the most difficult decisions in the process is how best to let people know about it — how to communicate meaningfully while keeping sacred what should be sacred. So this will be the only post on any of his channels.
“Information regarding this release, his charity, and Malcolm himself will be found at @92tilinfinity.”
The family also thanked fans who supported the star “unconditionally through the years”.
“We miss him,” they said.
“We are left to imagine where Malcolm was going and to appreciate where he was.
“We hope you take the time to listen. The look on his face when everyone was listening said it all.”
“With humility and gratitude. Malcolm’s family.”