Adrian Marcel was made for the music. A natural born star, the 24-year-old grew up in the music field highly encouraged by his family and hometown of Oakland, Calif. By attending the Oakland School of the Arts and continuously performing for his city, Marcel paved his way into the music game.
With the right connections and pivotal guidance, the singer was able to meet one of the best musicians in the business, Raphael Saadiq, who co-signed the singer and took him under his wing. Hence after, we were presented with mixtapes 7 Days of Weak (2013) and Weak After Next (2014).
Currently, Marcel is serving as special guest for songstress Elle Varner’s six-city December tour, while he rides the success from his Weak After Next mixtape and builds his growing fanbase for his upcoming debut album Got Me F****d Up (GMFU) due at the top of next year. Before the rising star hit the stage at The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. for one of his shows, Marcel sat down with Rated R&B for an intimate interview.
In the interview, the young crooner shares lessons learned from his mentor Raphael Saadiq, reveals why he waited to put out a full album, gives details on “GMFU” and if the “2 AM” singer really ‘spends the night alone.’
Here are excerpts from the candid interview:
On Getting Started:
Well, I started young, man. Music is something that kind of chose me. Um, I was always kind of moving to music and dancing to it so I think my mom just tackled that early and it kept me focused, just kept me grounded in that field, along with my father and the rest of my family as well.
On His Mentor Raphael Saadiq:
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned from him is to never love myself and always stay in love with the music, it has to be a certain passion that you never lose and the moment you lose it you shouldn’t do music anymore.
On Why He’s Ready For An Album Now:
I’m more set on now an album for sure. I don’t want to just rush things and put things out. I know a lot of times today people throw so much music out at once, people get accustomed to putting it to the side and wanting more. So, I want people to understand that when there’s something that I put out I want you to sit with it. I want it to be something that’s a part of you rather than just a season.
On The Album Title “GMFU:”
I’m very into my emotions, I’m very into who I am as a person and what I feel and I’m not afraid to feel however I feel. So, with “Got Me F’d Up,” it’s so deeper than that. It’s I’m f’d up over your love, I’m f’d up over this heartbreak, I’m f’d up over the fact I don’t have my own time anymore, I’m f’d up that I don’t get to see my family as much as I want to. Um, I’m f’d up because I love women and that makes it hard to love one (laughs). All these different subjects that have come with me are the beginning of the chapter.
On Most Personal Track On The Album:
There’s an intro to the actual album and it’s very different and it’s a story. I’ve always looked at my father as a chief. You know, as a head Cherokee (laughs), you know what I mean, per se in those terms being the head of my household. There was a story I had in a previous relationship that he sat me down and talked to me about and I put it on paper. I can’t wait for that to be heard because it is truly an opening chapter to not only the album, but my life.
Catch the full interview below where Marcel talks about collaborations on his “GMFU” album including Raphael Saadiq and the album’s potential release date. The singer also tells us fun facts like his favorite holiday song and more. Also, ladies, the young crooner also admits that he indeed does not sleep alone. You don’t want to miss this short, but sweet interview.
Interview by Keithan Samuels