Rapper Mac Miller has died aged 26, his family have confirmed.

Miller - real name Malcolm McCormick - was found dead in his San Fernando Valley home at noon on Friday, September 7, with his family releasing a statement confirming the tragic news.

"Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26," the statement reads.

"He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time."

Mac Miller began his career as a teenager, releasing a series of mixtapes

Miller began his rap career as a teenager, releasing a slew of mixtapes starting with 2007's But My Mackin' Aint Easy under the name EZ Mac. 

He dropped his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, via an independent label in 2011 and it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts.

Aside from his music, Miller’s reality show Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family ran for two seasons on MTV2 from 2013 - 2014.

Last month, the rapper released his fifth studio album, Swimming, which went to No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

He had been set to tour the album in October.

Miller had struggled with substance abuse in the past. Last month, the Los Angeles Attorney's Office officially charged him with a DUI stemming from a car accident that occurred in the San Fernando Valley in May.

Mac Miller and Ariana Grande at the One Love Manchester' benefit concert in June 2017

He had been in a long-term relationship with popstar Ariana Grande and they had collaborated on music together in the past, such as Grande's single The Way in 2013. 

They began dating in August 2016 and they parted ways in May 2018 after almost two years together.

Shortly after his car accident and arrest that month, she tweeted him "pls (sic) take care of yourself".

When discussing their break-up on Twitter, Grande wrote: "I am not a babysitter or a mother and no woman should feel that they need to be.

"I have cared for him and tried to support his sobriety and prayed for his balance for years (and always will of course) but shaming/blaming women for a man’s inability to keep his s*** together is a very major problem."

Tributes to the late rapper have been pouring in on Twitter.

Chance the Rapper said he was "one of the sweetest guys I ever knew".

Actor Jaden Smith wrote "Rest In Peace We Love You".

American rapper J Cole said he was a "great soul".

The Chainsmokers said they were "a huge fan of his music".

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