Getting his start as a behind-the-scenes weapon for some of the industry’s hottest names, Devin Malik is ready to step into the spotlight. Today, he shares DEADSTOCK, his highly-anticipated debut project as a rapper. Along with the project, Devin announces his signing to TDE as a producer, making his close relationship with the label official.
According to Devin himself, “DEADSTOCK is an audible horror film focusing on themes of lust, rage, and comedy, directed by Devin Malik.”
DEADSTOCK is an experimental exploration of the wide-range of sonics that can live within hip hop. Devin’s curation of the project is unpredictable, keeping listeners on their toes from track to track. Favoring grittier synths and chilling bass on the EP’s opening track “BANG YOUR HEAD” ft. ScHoolboy Q and recently released single “LINK DUCKER,” he switches up the sound later on the project, using sentimental keys and RnB cadences on “PDA” and jazzy, 60’s inspired piano riffs on “TRAUMA QUEEN.” Leaning into the freedom of expression found in indie-rap, Devin explores the myriad of ways to melodically tell a story, a perfect example being “WASTE NO TIME” where he ping pongs between gassing himself up to the sound of gravely acoustics strums and scattered keys before changing the melody entirely to sentimental keys, spitting down-to-earth lyrics like “the money, the clothes, it all, gets old, we all, get old, I can’t waste no time.”
Devin’s experiences working with some of rap’s favorite indie darlings and legendary heavy hitters is reflected in DEADSTOCK as listeners with a keen ear can hear inspiration from the very best qualities of all the artists he’s admired or worked with. Back in April, the talented rapper-producer released “PDA,” a flirtatious video and single. Produced by Devin and co-producer WillGell, the song uses a sample from Kendrick Lamar’s “PRIDE,” supplementing it with rolling hi-hats and an ethereal piano melody to create a room-enveloping canvas for Devin to paint on. “BACKSTAGE” continues Devin Malik’s red hot 2024, following his contributions as a producer and rapper on his mentor ScHoolboy Q’s new album BLUE LIPS. The young artist produced and rapped on “Love Birds,” also featuring Lance Skiiiwalker, and tore up the first verse of album highlight “Back n Love.” Behind the scenes, Malik contributed his production talents to highlights like “NuNu,” “oHio” and closing track “Smile.” After years of steady rise, and a recent co-sign from the one-and-only Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q has taken Devin Malik under his wing, nurturing him to become the next talent to emerge from the TDE orbit. Most recently, he vibed out with Kendrick Lamar on stage at his historic ‘Pop Out’ LA show on Juneteenth during one of the performances of “Not Like Us.”
Malik’s impressive resume, paired with his unique musical ear, has allowed him to create an EP that stands alone in the rap scene.
© 2024, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
