The Email That Fueled Devin Malik’s Rise

There was never a time, back when I was young, when life felt like a crystal stair as Langston Hughes once wrote. However I moved through it with ease, as if nothing could stop me. But, as we all come to learn, adulthood has a way of putting obstacles in our paths. Just like Devin Malik, a producer behind Doechii’s mixtape, who reminded us of this very lesson when he allegedly shared a glimpse of his journey. Following the release of her album Alligator Bites Don’t Heal on August 30, 2024, a “stan” account shared a screenshot of an “old email” Malik had received from Matt Miller at TDE back in 2015. In that email, Matt praised Malik’s potential but was clear that his beats weren’t quite the right fit at the time. “We need stuff with more of a hip hop vibe,” Matt said. He encouraged Malik to listen, learn, and adjust. At only 16, Malik was told, “By 22 you could be a major player in the game.”

Fast forward to today, and Malik has become that player. In his caption, Malik simply said, “don’t give up no matter how long it takes,” reminding us all that the road to success isn’t always straight, and it’s rarely quick. Life throws challenges, but how we respond makes all the difference.

We all fail at some point, stumble, or face rejection—just like Malik did. But failure is not the enemy. Gratitude and perseverance are just as much a part of the journey. Most of the time, there’s more good than bad if we’re willing to see it. No matter what life throws at us, we’ve got to stand back up, keep pushing forward, and stay focused on our vision. Endurance and triumph? They’re ours to claim, as long as we don’t give in to doubt.

So, as Devin Malik shows us, it may take time, but persistence pays off. And as Tavis Smiley once said, Keep the faith.