By Matthew Becerra, Feb. 18, 2025
Rancho Cucamonga-native rap producer Devin Malik has officially brought a Grammy award home to the Inland Empire.
The producer, who played a key role in Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” won Best Rap Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Malik began making beats in high school, learning from local artists before collaborating with rising stars like Ken Carson and D. Savage. His dedication to production eventually led to a breakthrough with Top Dawg Entertainment. After years of sending beats to Isaiah Rashad’s team, his persistence paid off when he was invited to TDE’s studio camp — an opportunity that helped him build key industry connections, including Doechii.
The Grammy nomination was a surreal moment for Malik.
“Man, that day was very interesting because I was happy as s—,” Malik said to The Poly Post. “Obviously, when we work on stuff, you know things are possible, but it doesn’t really hit you until things really happen.”
Instead of immediately jumping online to celebrate, Malik took a step back to reflect on his journey.
“I honestly didn’t even want to be on the Internet,” Malik said. “My mom made me post all that. She was like, ‘Yo, you got to let people know.’”
Malik’s contributions to “Alligator Bites Never Heal” included multiple tracks, some of which had been in the works for years such as the song “STANKA POOH.”
“Some of those songs were a little old,” Malik said. “The newest song was ‘GTFO.’ I think we made that like two weeks before the album dropped.”
Malik’s creative process with Doechii is one of mutual trust.
“I just pull up to the studio and play her shit,” Malik said. “She’s like, ‘Yo, I need that one, I need that one.’ Then she’ll go and write, usually just solo with her engineer. Then she’ll make it, and she’ll play it. It’s fun though. It’s always fun working with her. She’s like the most talented ever.”
Malik’s success has resonated beyond the music industry, sparking excitement in his local community. At Cal Poly Pomona, students have taken notice of the hometown win.
“The beats are those produced in this new era of rap and hip-hop,” said Aiden Holly, an aerospace engineering student. “However, some tracks stand out more with a unique production and interesting tone.”
With Malik’s Grammy win catapulting him to a larger stage, Holly said he believes his impact will only grow.
Blake Pina, a business student, shared similar enthusiasm.
“I really like him,” Pina said. “I liked the beats in those songs.”
For many in the Inland Empire, Malik’s Grammy win represents more than just an individual accomplishment — it’s proof that talent from the region can break through on the biggest stages. Rancho Cucamonga and its surrounding cities aren’t typically seen as hip-hop powerhouses, but Malik’s success is changing that perception.
Following the win, Malik took to social media to express his gratitude.
“Anything is possible,” Malik wrote on Instagram. “Thank you, Doechii, for changing my life, and thank you Grammys for the recognition. Thank you Moosa, thank you TDE and for real for real, thank you fans.”
Feature image courtesy of Instagram
