Merced linebacker hopes to become hip hop star. ‘I feel that’s not far out of my reach’

Many high school football players dream about playing in the NFL one day.

Merced High senior Malachi Martin also has a dream to perform on a big stage in front of thousands of people.

However, Martin hopes he’ll be performing at Madison Square Garden in New York as a hip hop artist.

“That’s one of the great things I like to think about,” Martin said. “Just the idea of being in front of thousands of people, rapping and they’re rapping my lyrics back to me. I feel that’s not far out of my reach.”

But before further pursuing his rap career, Martin is focused contributing for the Bears as an outside linebacker. Martin and Merced (2-0 Central California Conference, 3-2 overall) travel to Patterson (1-0 CCC, 5-0 overall) for a Central California Conference showdown Friday with opening kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Football has been a big part of Martin’s life since he was a kid. He comes from a football family with his father and older brother both playing football. He has four family members on his high school team.

However, Martin’s other love is music.

Different name on stage

Martin, who performs under the name “Itz Mali,” has performed in shows up and down California and wants to fully dive into his music after high school.

“I just want to reach a lot of people,” Martin said. “I want to get to a space where I express my feelings in a way others can relate to and say, ‘Oh, he’s not the only person.’ If I’m able to do that and do it on a larger scale. If I can impact more than just Merced and more than just the Bay Area, I’ll feel accomplished.”

Martin got involved in music at 11 years old. He started with music videos, shot with phones that he posted to Instagram. At 14, he signed a recording contract with Extra Records out of Vallejo.

One of his music videos on YouTube called “Hood Cry” was noticed by another artist by the name of “LARussell.”

Martin was invited to LARussell’s home in Vallejo and soon invited to perform in shows with him.

“Itz Mali” has performed in shows in Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Vallejo and in Reno, Nevada. He has music videos posted on YouTube like “Hood Cry,” “I Ain’t Mad at Cha” and “Suitcase.”

Martin has a show scheduled for this Sunday in Vallejo.

Balancing music and football

Merced High football coach Rob Schedit has seen how serious Martin is about his music and yet hasn’t seen his commitment to the football team waiver.

“For him, he could have easily quit playing football and turn his attention to trying to make things happen with his music,” Scheidt said. “But he loves playing football and he’s good at it. He works hard at it. He’s a great kid and we’re glad to have him in our program”

Scheidt says when scheduling conflicts do come up they are able to work it out.

Martin says there are parallels in becoming successful in football and successful as a performer. It starts with preparation.

“You have to put in the reps in practice with football to feel comfortable in games,” Martin said. “It’s the same way in music. You have to get experience on stage to feel comfortable during shows.”

Martin has had a few of his teammates show up in his music videos. Quarterback Quintelle Dupree — who is also Martin’s stepbrother — has appeared in Martin’s videos.

“It was fun,” Dupree said. “It was awkward at first and then we got the rhythm of it. Once we kept going it was fun. He puts his love into it. His dad is really supportive. He’s going to take (music) to the max.”

Devoting more time to music

Martin says the inspiration for his music comes from his life and the people close to him.

“I can’t pull it from anything else,” he said. “I have no other inspiration. I can’t pull it from things I haven’t done, I can’t pull it from things I haven’t seen so there’s no other way to really go about it. I have to write the stories that I see in my neighborhood or in my family.”

Martin says he’s been inspired by artists like Lauryn Hill, LARussell, Westside Boogie, Meek Mill and many others.

“That’s a long list,” Martin said. “There are so many because I’m always listening to music.”

Martin is prepared to devote more time to his music after high school. He’s determined to perform at Madison Square Garden one day.

“At the end of the day, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, because of that I need to handle it more professionally and be more consistent,” Martin said. “With that comes posting more, doing more professional videos, making more music or even making a home studio. I just have to be in that space and be in that work environment and that’s what I’m trying to provide for myself.”

This Week’s Schedule

Merced at Patterson

Atwater at El Capitan

Central Valley at Buhach Colony

Livingston at Hilmar

Mountain House at Los Banos

Pacheco at Davis

Le Grand at Denair

Delhi at Gustine

Mariposa at Orestimba

Elite at Stone Ridge Christian

Avenal at Dos Palos

Riverdale at Chowchilla