MZCL (pronounced Mezcal), from Coachella Valley, Southern California, started his Drum & Bass journey nearly 20 years ago, like many of us, thanks to the influence of an older brother. Sharing a room as a kid, he had no idea how much those moments would shape his life. Watching his brother spin vinyl and build a collection, it wasn’t long before MZCL stepped up to the decks himself. He started by scratching over hip-hop instrumentals and recording cassette mixes from the likes of Dom & Roland, R.A.W, AK1200, and Metalheadz—early sounds that sparked his love for Drum & Bass.
Things really clicked when his brother took him to his first rave, Project Love Groove, held in an abandoned warehouse in downtown LA. After spending time at the trance-heavy main stage, Mzcl was pulled into a small, dark room with black walls and a static red light. Here, the heavy sounds of Bad Company, paired with a rapid-fire MC, completely shifted his world. “From that moment, I just knew—I wanted to be a DnB MC,” he remembers.
His brother influenced him again by bringing home a burned rap CD. The emotional depth of the lyrics hit hard, inspiring MZCL to start writing. This kicked off a decade-long journey in hip-hop, with album releases and performances across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
In August 2019, while wrapping up his final rap album, he felt a shift happening. That pull led him to the Mojave Desert for a full moon gathering called Moon Tribe. “For where I was at in my life I could’ve never planned what was about to happen to me” says MZCL. “Deep, dark, dirty 3am Drum & Bass my life changed in all aspects forever.”
Soon after, MZCL started experimenting with beats. By late 2020, he’d fully dived in, buying Ableton Live and producing deep liquid Drum & Bass. Not long after, he grabbed a DJ controller and began dropping mixes, blending his emotive sound with heartfelt lectures from authors he admires—a unique touch that got people talking.
Since then, he’s released music with respected labels like Interstellar Audio, Grand Theft Audio, Lizplay Records, Mathematica Records, Totally Liquid, and Brazil’s renowned DNBB. He’s also featured on guest mixes for Kush Sessions, DNB France, Soulful Liquid, Alpha Rhythm, Pure Liquid, and Liquid Central.
MZCL’s music speaks from the heart—deep, soulful, and layered with a hint of spirituality and philosophy. For anyone who’s tuned in, it’s more than just Drum & Bass—it’s a whole experience.
Now, he joins the ranks of our Renegade Riddims series with a mix solely curated using his own creations. There are also some collaborations with artists such as Wes Walker, Subrix and Tilal.
Check out the mix below and download it for free here!
Q&A:
Sum up this mix in 10 words…
Deep meditative frequencies crafted to reach your solar plexus.
What’s your personal favourite track on it?
All of them. They are all originals ❤️
What’s the special ingredient in this mix?
I’ve verbally sprinkled my all time favourite philosophy throughout the mix, which is the ancient Chinese text the Tao Te Ching.
Tell us about your next EP…
I have a two tracker that will be seen in 2025 with the prestigious Brazilian DNBB Records. They are two very special pieces to me because of the samples I pulled from. To implement music from two different vital times in my life and join them into one cohesive piece of art is truly rewarding.
What have you got coming up?
At the time of this mix, we will have just seen the release of the highly anticipated ‘Frontiers Vol. 2’ by Interstellar Audio. It is a project aimed to help the Doctors Without
Borders Foundation. It consists of 30+ tunes hand-picked by Cellar himself. I am very honored to have received the opportunity for such an impactful cause. Look out for my
track ‘Not of this World’!
When was the last time you actually raved?
Last night! I had the pleasure of seeing GLXY and Halogenix in an abandoned warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles. Need I say more?
And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?
The more you do, the more you become ❤️
TRACKLIST:
MZCL – Silent Storm
MZCL – Missed Calls
MZCL – Esperame
MZCL, Wez Walker – Our Distance
MZCL – Not of this World
MZCL – Promise Ring
MZCL – Other
MZCL – Sun and Moon
MZCL, Tilal – Cielo Cayendo
MZCL, Tilal – Sheuer Alsama
MZCL, Subrix – Connections
MZCL – Through You
MZCL, Wez Walker – Time for Change
MZCL – Her
MZCL – Stillness
MZCL – November Summer