Ourselves Podcast MRCL Lost His Father, Home & Car, Then Found Himself in the Studio with SZA and Frank Ocean
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 Intro
02:50 Balancing Creativity and Business
04:26 Early Musical Influences
06:06 Entrepreneurial Spirit
08:27 Meeting West Coast legend Terrace Martin
10:35 Internship Experiences
13:14 Transition to Videography
26:56 Breakthrough in Television
35:46 Personal Struggles and Triumphs
41:33 Creating a Legacy
44:29 Reflections on Parenthood
45:48 Skee TV and Early Career
50:04 Discovering New Opportunities
51:41 Spiritual Awakening
55:00 Creating Mantras
01:00:26 First TDE Session with SZA
01:01:17 Frank Ocean serenading them with the piano
01:03:48 Building Relationships in the Industry
01:13:16 Working with Aftermath
01:14:21 Overcoming Creative Blocks
01:23:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:30:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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