What do you do when you lose everything — your father, your home, and your car — all in one month? If you’re MRCL, you turn that pain into purpose… and make some of the most powerful music of your life. In this episode, MRCL shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind his journey from sleeping in his car to producing with TDE and working alongside legends like Terrace Martin, DJ Quik, and more. He talks about the moment that changed everything — when SZA casually said, “Should I call Frank Ocean?” — and ended up in the studio with both of them as Frank serenaded the room on piano. But that’s just the beginning. We get into the come-up, the breakdowns, the breakthroughs, the band he built off Instagram DMs, the hustle of being a full-time creative and a father, and how spiritual alignment shaped his debut project Mantras. This is one of the most inspiring stories we've ever heard — and proof that when your back’s against the wall, greatness is still possible. If you're chasing purpose, passion, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone… this one’s for you. 00:00 Intro02:50 Balancing Creativity and Business04:26 Early Musical Influences06:06 Entrepreneurial Spirit08:27 Meeting West Coast legend Terrace Martin10:35 Internship Experiences13:14 Transition to Videography26:56 Breakthrough in Television35:46 Personal Struggles and Triumphs41:33 Creating a Legacy44:29 Reflections on Parenthood45:48 Skee TV and Early Career50:04 Discovering New Opportunities51:41 Spiritual Awakening55:00 Creating Mantras01:00:26 First TDE Session with SZA01:01:17 Frank Ocean serenading him with the piano01:03:48 Building Relationships in the Industry01:13:16 Working with Aftermath01:14:21 Overcoming Creative Blocks01:23:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists01:30:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections   Follow MRCL Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook