GoldLink Addresses 2019 Mac Miller Tribute Controversy in New Freestyle
On June 10, Washington D.C. rapper GoldLink released a new freestyle on social media, addressing a contentious 2019 post he shared following the death of Mac Miller. The track, captioned with a shoulder shrug, includes lyrics referencing accusations that Mac Miller copied his work, according to multiple music outlets.
What did GoldLink say in his new freestyle?
In the freestyle, GoldLink raps, “This for you nias that was all on my dk/Tryna start some bullsh*t from Mac Miller and sh*t,” according to a transcript shared by *Rolling Stone*. He continues, “That’s my brother, and he did what he did and that’s it/You should probably ask Tyler how he feel bout that sh*t/When we wa ridin’ in that Tesla before we switched to his Benz/ All I’m saying is that sh*t ain’t what you think that it is.” The lyrics appear to reference a 2019 post where GoldLink criticized Mac Miller’s album *Divine Feminine*, suggesting it was influenced by his own 2017 project *And After That, We Didn’t Talk*.
How did GoldLink respond to backlash over the 2019 post?
GoldLink addressed the controversy in a follow-up statement months after the initial post, denying allegations that he accused Mac Miller of plagiarism. “The whole post I made about Mac Miller was about love and that ni**as can actually be brothers,” he said, as reported by *Pitchfork*. “It wasn’t about stealing. I never used the word ‘copy,’ I never used the word ‘steal.’” He emphasized that Mac Miller “wrote all of *Divine Feminine*” and called him “one of the realest ni**as I ever met.”
What was the public reaction to GoldLink’s 2019 post?
The initial post sparked criticism from Mac Miller’s fans, who felt GoldLink’s comments undermined the late rapper’s legacy. The timing of the post, released shortly after Miller’s death in September 2018, drew further scrutiny. GoldLink’s 2020 freestyle appears to be a direct response to ongoing discussions about the alleged influence of his work on *Divine Feminine*.
Why does this controversy matter in the hip-hop community?
The dispute highlights tensions around artistic influence and collaboration in hip-hop. While GoldLink has not directly accused Mac Miller of copying his work, the lyrics in his new freestyle suggest unresolved grievances. The conversation also reflects broader debates about credit and originality in music, particularly in genres where sampling and thematic inspiration are common.
GoldLink’s latest release underscores the ongoing impact of his 2019 post, even as he seeks to clarify his intentions. Fans and critics alike are watching how the hip-hop community interprets the new track and whether it resolves the controversy or reignites debate.