Miller had been “well into the process of recording,” Circles with producer Jon Brion, per his family’s statement, when he passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2018 one month after he had just released his Swimming LP, which Brion also worked with him on. Swimming also went on to be posthumously nominated for a Grammy award at the 2019 ceremony for Best Rap Album.

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“After his passing, Jon dedicated himself to finishing ‘Circles’ based on his time and conversations with Malcolm,” the message stated. “We are eternally grateful to Jon and to those who gave their best to the difficult and emotional task of putting out this body of work.”

His family noted that Circles was intended to be a "companion album" to Swimming. “Two different styles complementing each other, completing a circle — Swimming in Circles was the concept," the letter explained. “This is a complicated process that has no right answer,” they added. “We simply know that it was important to Malcolm for the world to hear it.” 

His family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they’ve received from Miller’s fans, saying that they struggled with how to relay the news of the album while “keeping sacred what should be kept sacred,” given their loss. As such, further information will only be available through the Instagram account @92tilinfinity going forward.

“We are left to imagine where Malcolm was going and to appreciate where he was,” his family closed out the note. “We hope you take the time to listen. The look on his face when everyone was listening said it all.”

Fans are overcome with emotion at the sudden news. Many were devastated by the Pittsburgh-bred MC’s death, so the news of an album coming nearly two years after his death has revisited old wounds. 

“I’m not going to be able to handle myself,” one fan commented. 

“No words just tears man, happy tears,” another tweeted.