Madlib is sitting on some priceless fire.
As revealed during a recent interview with DJBooth, Thelonius Martin stated the veteran DJ and producer had worked on a full-length collaborative album with the late Mac Miller.
Now, during a DJ set in San Diego over the weekend, Madlib gave fans the first taste of the safeguarded project, which is speculated to be called Maclib.
“When we was working on ‘Guidelines,’ [Mac Miller] was always excited about all these other songs,” Martin revealed in conversation with DJBooth. “He had this Madlib album, called Maclib. I opened for Madlib in Chicago last summer, at [the] Pitchfork [Festival]. So I’m opening for Madlib, and about 15, 20 minutes left in my set, Madlib pulls up. Pete Rock walks up as well. So I’m trying to focus and DJ, and Madlib gets on and 15 minutes into his set he just randomly plays a Mac Miller joint. And I turn to him, I’m like, ‘There’s more of these, right?’ He’s said, ‘Oh, yeah, there’s a whole album. Maclib‘” What! What! He just kept moving on with his DJ set. If Madlib decides to bless the world with that project, he should.”
Much to the delight of those in attendance, the 45-year-old producer confirmed Martin’s claim in the best way possible, revealing an unreleased collaboration featuring vocals from Mac Miller and co-production from the Pittsburgh native’s close collaborator, Thundercat, during his set on Saturday night (March 16).
During the clip, captured by Soulection DJ Joe Kay and since shared widely on social media, Mac’s distinctive voice can be heard filling the packed room.
In addition to previewing a snippet from the highly anticipated project, Madlib also shared an unreleased track with Freddie Gibbs. The track is presumably part of what will become the duo’s follow-up to 2014’s Pinata. While a release date has not yet been set, Madlib’s upcoming collaboration with Gibbs is set to be entitled Bandana.
Earlier this year, Mac Miller’s Swimming album was posthumously up for a 2019 Grammy Award in the category of Best Rap Album. While Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy took home the prize in a historic win, the Bronx rapper took a moment to dedicate the win to the late rapper.
Take a look at Madlib teasing unreleased music by Mac Miller, Thundercat and Freddie Gibbs in the clip below.