Mac was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and thrived on the local hip-hop scene. He claimed to have started rapping at eight years old, and became more serious about it in high school. He transferred from Winchester Thurston School to Allderdice High School for his junior and senior years. He was known previously as Easy Mac and made up half of the duo The Ill Spoken with older Pittsburgh emcee Beedie. He released his first unofficial mixtape titled "Mackin' Ain't Easy" during high school, recorded loosely on his laptop at home. He also claims to be influenced by Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Big L, and Outkast. Mac Miller has been quoted saying rapping is no longer a hobby anymore, and it's his true full-time job and calling. Mac's favorite movies are, How High and KIDS.