People usually talk about Mac Miller in terms of his evolution from the "frat rap" days of K.I.D.S. to the psychedelic, jazzy introspection of Swimming. It was a massive leap. But if you want to find the exact moment his heart became the centerpiece of his music, you have to look at Favorite Part Mac Miller. Specifically, that breezy, soul-drenched duet with Ariana Grande from his 2016 album The Divine Feminine.
It’s a weirdly vulnerable track.
Most rappers use features with pop stars to grab a radio hit or flex their status. Mac didn't do that here. He sounded shy. He sounded like a guy who was genuinely terrified of how much he liked the person he was singing with. Honestly, it’s one of the few songs in that era of hip-hop that feels like a private conversation we weren't necessarily supposed to overhear.
The Divine Feminine and the Shift in Mac’s Universe
When The Divine Feminine dropped, some fans were confused. They wanted the grit of GO:OD AM or the drugged-out nihilism of Faces. Instead, Mac gave them a concept album about the healing power of feminine energy. Favorite Part Mac Miller stands as the thesis statement for that entire project.
Music critics at Pitchfork and Rolling Stone noted at the time that Mac was leaning heavily into his musicality. He wasn't just rapping; he was arranging. He was playing with neo-soul textures. He was listening to a lot of D'Angelo and Bilal. You can hear that influence in the bassline of "My Favorite Part." It’s thick, groovy, and slightly behind the beat. It feels human.
The song was produced by MusicManTy, and it doesn't rely on flashy synths. It’s built on a steady drum pocket and a guitar riff that sounds like a sunny afternoon in California. Mac’s vocals are purposefully unpolished. He knew he wasn't a "singer" in the traditional sense. He didn't have Ariana’s four-octave range, but that was the point. His raspy, conversational delivery made the lyrics about being "pretty" and "not even knowing it" feel authentic. It wasn't a performance; it was a confession.
Breaking Down the Chemistry
You can’t talk about Favorite Part Mac Miller without talking about the relationship. At the time, Mac and Ariana Grande had just gone public. They had worked together years prior on "The Way," but this was different. This was grown-up.
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The music video—directed by Luis Perez—is a masterclass in "less is more." They are in separate apartments, separated by a wall, singing to each other. It’s a literal representation of the barriers people put up before they let someone in. When the wall finally "breaks" at the end, it’s not some grand explosion. It’s just two people in a hallway.
Kinda simple. Kinda perfect.
- The song clocks in at just over three minutes.
- It features a bridge where their voices blend in a way that feels unrehearsed.
- Mac’s verse isn't about him—it’s entirely focused on the "you."
Music theory nerds will tell you the song works because of the tension between the minor chords and the hopeful lyrics. It creates a sense of longing. Even when things are good, there’s a fear that it might end. That’s the Mac Miller brand of soul: joy with a side of shadow.
Why This Track Still Hits in 2026
It’s been years since The Divine Feminine came out, and obviously, the context of the song has changed drastically since Mac’s passing in 2018. Listening to Favorite Part Mac Miller now feels bittersweet. It’s a time capsule of a period where he seemed truly at peace.
Modern listeners on platforms like TikTok and Spotify have kept this song alive because it avoids the clichés of modern "simp" music. It isn't toxic. It isn't about possession. It’s about admiration. The line "You don't know how beautiful you are / And baby, that's my favorite part" is so simple it should be cheesy. But it isn't. Because Mac sounds like he actually means it.
The industry has tried to replicate this vibe. We see it in the "bedroom pop" movement and the rise of jazz-inflected hip-hop artists like Loyle Carner or Jordan Rakei. They all owe a debt to the risks Mac took on this record. He proved that a rapper could be soft without losing their edge.
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Technical Brilliance in the Mix
If you listen to the track on a good pair of headphones, you'll notice the mixing on Mac's voice. It’s dry. There isn't much reverb. This makes it feel like he’s standing right next to you. In contrast, Ariana’s vocals have a slight shimmer, making her sound almost ethereal.
This contrast is vital. It represents the "Divine Feminine" he was chasing—something slightly out of reach, something better than the reality he lived in. The song doesn't try to be a club banger. It doesn't have a massive drop. It just flows. Like a conversation between two people who are starting to realize they're in trouble (the good kind).
How to Appreciate Mac’s Legacy Beyond the Hits
If you’ve only ever heard "Self Care" or "Donald Trump," you’re missing the architecture of his career. Favorite Part Mac Miller is the bridge. It connects the boy from Pittsburgh to the visionary who would eventually give us Circles.
To truly understand the depth of his work, you have to look at the collaborators he chose for this era. He was working with Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and Ty Dolla $ign. He was surrounding himself with musicians who cared about the sound, not just the stats.
- Go back and listen to the live version of this song from the Hotel Café sessions.
- Notice how Mac plays the piano. He wasn't just a lyricist; he was a student of music.
- Pay attention to the way the bass interacts with the vocals. It’s a dialogue.
There's a reason people still wear Mac Miller hoodies and post his lyrics on every anniversary. He felt like a friend. And "My Favorite Part" is the song that happens when that friend finally finds a little bit of happiness.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
If you want to dive deeper into the world of The Divine Feminine and the specific era of Favorite Part Mac Miller, don't just stream the hits.
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Start by watching the "My Favorite Part" music video again, but this time, turn off the sound. Look at the body language. Look at the way they aren't looking at the camera. Then, go find the Divine Feminine tour footage. See how he transformed these intimate studio sessions into big, brassy live performances.
Next, check out the Dissect Podcast season on Mac Miller. They spend hours breaking down the musical theory behind his later albums. It will change how you hear the chord progressions in this song. You'll realize that what sounds like a simple love song is actually a complex arrangement of jazz-fusion and hip-hop sensibilities.
Finally, curate a playlist that places "My Favorite Part" alongside its influences. Put some Erykah Badu on there. Add some Robert Glasper. Maybe some Thundercat (who was a frequent Mac collaborator). When you hear it in that context, you realize Mac wasn't just making rap music. He was making soul music for a generation that forgot what it sounded like to be vulnerable.
The best way to honor the track is to listen to it without distractions. No scrolling. No multitasking. Just let the groove hit. You might find your own favorite part.
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
- Deep Dive: Listen to "Congratulations" right after "My Favorite Part" to hear the full arc of the album's opening.
- Visuals: Seek out the photography by Justin Boyd from this era; he captured the behind-the-scenes energy of the Divine Feminine recording sessions.
- The Blueprint: Read Mac’s 2016 interview with Fader where he discusses the shift toward singing and why he felt it was necessary for his growth as an artist.