Mac Miller died on Sept. 7. Unfairly dismissed as a frat boy rapper until far too late in his career, Miller was a talented, thoughtful MC with a playful style that developed into a dreamlike aesthetic.

He talked openly about his struggles with mental illness and substance abuse while never using it to excuse abusive behavior. People who met Miller would be welcomed as a friend regardless of their level of success, and plenty wound up working with him at his studio/clubhouse in L.A.

His openness to collaboration also directly contributed to the current golden age of guest verses and collaborative albums in hip hop, as well as directly putting on very talented and popular rappers like Casey Veggies and Vince Staples. In honor of his legacy, here are five songs from Miller’s albums that best sum up who he was and what his music was about.

“Party on Fifth Ave”

It’s hard to overstate how much better 2011’s “Blue Slide Park” is than its contemporaries in the “frat rap” subgenre. This is the big hit from the record, and it’s easy to see why. A legendary sample and some secretly clever wordplay make this a perfect summer jam. Put this on at a house party, and people will still dance like it’s 2011.

“Fight the Feeling”

“Macadelic” flew under a lot of people’s radar in 2012, and that’s a shame. Far from being a continuation of “Blue Slide Park,” here we begin to see Miller develop the dreamy, almost underwater sound that would define his career, as well as some inspiringly introspective raps. “Fight The Feeling” is all about the fear that follows Miller around every day as a famous rapper. Watch for a stand out guest verse from a pre “Good Kid Maad City” Kendrick Lamar.

3. “Avian”

2013’s “Watching Movies with the Sound Off” is when Miller solidified the sound and aesthetics that he began in “Macadelic.” This record is what made the critics stand up and realize that he was serious about improving his craft and being a truly great rapper. On “Avian,” Miller lays down some of the best bars of his career over a minimalist piano beat, with an almost breathless flow that rivals the greats. The video is excellent as well.

4. “Weekend”

2014’s “GOOD A.M.” was Miller’s most personal record up to that point, and that’s best showcased in its second single, “Weekend.” Here, a newly sober Miller takes an honest look at his addictions and how they affected both him and the people he loved. The rhymes are simpler, but the tone is serious and mature. It sounds like he’s near death the entire time, but as Miguel puts it in a beautiful guest hook, “Everything will be good by the weekend.”

5. “Come Back to Earth”

Miller has lots of accomplishments, but one thing that has evaded him so far is a truly classic record. “Swimming,” released in 2018, is that record. Miller leans into his long love affair with jazz to take his spacey beats to the next level. “Come Back to Earth,” the first song, is not here as a stand out track, but as a stand in for all of “Swimming.” It’s very good, but so is the rest of “Swimming.” This record is worth a listen.