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Rapper Mac Miller has died aged just 26.

Ariana Grande's ex-boyfriend was found dead following an apparent overdose, TMZ reports.

Mac, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had been having trouble with substance abuse recently following his break up from Ariana.

The Dang! rapper - real name Malcolm James McCormick - died on Friday at his Studio City, San Fernando Valley home.

"Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26," his family said in a statement.

(Image: CBS)

(Image: Splash News)

"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."

His most recent album, Swimming, was just released on August 3 and was due to go on tour next month.

On Thursday night, Mac had posted a video of a record player with a song from one of his albums playing.

In his last post on Twitter, he told his nearly 9million followers: "I just wanna go on tour."

(Image: Splash News)

(Image: SPLASH)

An investigation into Mac's death is underway, authorities have said.

ABC30 reports that law enforcement vehicles have been seen parked near the rapper's home.

A coroner's van was seen arriving at the scene shortly before 2.30pm.

Mac signed a recording contract in early 2010 with Pittsburgh-based indie label Rostrum Records, and began working on his debut album Blue Slide Park.

It was released in November 2011 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first independently-distributed album to top the charts since Tha Dogg Pound's Dogg Food in 1995.

In 2013, Mac launched his own record label, REMember Music, named after a friend who had died.

After releasing his second album, Movies with the Sound Off, he announced he was no longer signed to Rostrum Records.

(Image: Splash News)

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In 2014, it was reported that Mac had signed a deal for himself and his label with Warner Bros Records.

Fellow stars paid tribute after the news broke.

Singer Shawn Mendes wrote on Twitter: "Unreal. So sad. RIP Mac Miller"

Actor Jaden Smith said: "Long Live Mac Miller, Rest In Peace We Love You"

Wiz Khalifa posted: "Praying for Mac’s family and that he rest easy "

And Chance The Rapper said: "I dont know what to say Mac Miller took me on my second tour ever.

"But beyond helping me launch my career he was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew. Great man. I loved him for real. Im completely broken. God bless him."

J. Cole posted: "Rest In Peace to the great soul Mac Miller"

(Image: CBS)

(Image: Splash News)

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In May, he was arrested for driving under the influence and hit and run when he wrecked his car by crashing into a utility pole.

He fled the scene but cops later got a confession out of him at his home. He was twice over the legal limit.

After the arrest, Ariana tweeted him saying: "Pls take care of yourself".

Ariana, who is now engaged to comedian Pete Davidson, made it clear after their break up that his substance abuse had played a part in the breakdown of their two-year romance.

Mac had addressed his drug use issues on his 2014 mixtape Faces.

(Image: BBC) (Image: BBC) (Image: BBC)

There were also references to premature death.

Speaking about it, he once told Vulture: "I used to rap super openly about really dark shit."

Mac also opened up about how the public perceived him.

He said: "You know what’s funny? I feel like the public perception of me varies on who you ask. But there’s a bit of a freedom in knowing that people are going to think all types of s**t, no matter what.

"It actually makes me less stressed about how my actions are perceived. It’s out of my control. I mean, to a degree … I could control it.

"I could live this squeaky clean life and everything. I could try to control the media.

"But I’ve been finding freedom in just living and letting people say whatever the f**k they want."

Mac had been dating Ariana when her concert in Manchester was targeted by a suicide bomber last year, when 22 of her fans were killed.

He supported her through the tragedy and returned to the city with her for her One Love Manchester fundraising concert.

Mac took to the stage with Ariana to perform for the crowd to perform duet The Way and Dang!