In the last five years, Mac Miller has transcended from a mixtape sensation to a proven commercial juggernaut. Unlike so many rapid industry upstarts, many argue that his art has gotten much more honest, skillful, and innovative.

In that journey, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native became a sought-after producer, relocated to Los Angeles, California, and collaborated with everyone from Earl Sweatshirt to Ariana Grande to the late Sean Price.

Related: Mac Miller Drops Heavy Bars Over Preemo, Kanye & Timbaland in a Big Boy Freestyle (Video)

In a new 12-minute documentary with The Fader called Stopped Making Excuses, the Warner Bros. Records-backed artist is caught moving in to his latest home: New York City. Alone, lucid, and thoughtful, Mac’s last five years appear to have the arc of a lifetime. He discusses being judged coming into Hip-Hop, and yet admits that his skin color made for a path of least resistance. Later, he touches on isolation and boredom leading to major drug addictions. Rare footage captures Mac stoned, while another vignette shows French Montana urging the MC to slow down. The film captures Miller’s L.A. experience, and travels back to the Steel City to show the vibes that informed the artist.

If ever you wanted to better get to know the onetime Rostrum success story, this is a grand portal.

Related: Mac Miller’s “Weekend” Is A Highly Personal Outcry About Life Moving Too Fast (Video)