Derrick Milano has built an unusual career in modern music. He first pursued recognition as a rapper and recording artist, but his biggest breakthrough came when he moved deeper into songwriting and production. Since then, his credits have appeared alongside artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Pop Smoke, Ciara and BTS. His work has crossed hip-hop, pop, R&B and, more recently, K-pop. Spotify’s current songwriter profile lists 166 songs written under his name, while his latest credited work includes music connected to CORTIS.
For many listeners, Milano became widely recognizable through the Grammy-winning “Savage Remix,” but his career is broader than one award or one song. His story also includes an early period as an independent rapper, a transition into behind-the-scenes songwriting, collaborations with major stars and a new chapter in 2026 as he prepares to put his own artistry back in the spotlight.
Who Is Derrick Milano?
Derrick Milano is the professional name of Derrick Carrington Gray, an American songwriter, rapper, singer and producer. Public biographical sources identify him as being born on December 24, 1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Philadelphia and Delaware before moving to Florida for college and entertainment-related studies. That background helped shape an artist who eventually became comfortable working across several musical roles.
As of October 2026, Milano is 32 years old. Although he is often described primarily as a Grammy-winning songwriter, his career has never been limited to writing lyrics for other performers. His credits include composition, production, vocal production, background vocals and performing, which helps explain why his work appears in so many different musical settings.
Derrick Milano’s Early Life and Education
Milano’s connection with music began long before his Grammy recognition. Biographical accounts say he was involved in his church choir while growing up. After his family moved to Delaware, he attended schools in the area and later graduated from Concord High School in 2012. During his high-school years, he reportedly participated in battle rap and continued developing his interest in performance.
After high school, he attended college in Florida, including Valencia College and Full Sail University. His time in Florida was particularly important because it placed him closer to Orlando’s entertainment community and helped him move from simply enjoying music to actively pursuing it as a profession.
This stage of his story matters because Milano did not enter the industry as an established celebrity. He was developing his own sound, experimenting with independent music and finding opportunities through networking. That groundwork became important when he later shifted from performer to songwriter.
How Derrick Milano Started His Music Career
Milano began releasing music as a recording artist around 2013. One of the early songs associated with his rise was “#ThatAintYaBitch,” which appeared on SoundCloud in 2014. The record helped him gain attention in Orlando and reportedly led to opportunities to open shows involving artists such as Future and Young Thug.
His early career was not completely smooth. Accounts of this period describe difficulties involving management that affected his ability to consistently release and promote his music. Instead of allowing that setback to end his ambitions, Milano increasingly focused on another part of music-making: writing songs for other artists.
That decision would eventually change the direction of his career.
The Transition From Rapper to Hit Songwriter
Around 2019, Milano began concentrating much more heavily on songwriting. His early writing credits included work connected to Kevin Gates’ album I’m Him. He also developed a relationship with producer Juicy J, whom he had first encountered years earlier. That connection helped place him in sessions related to Megan Thee Stallion and opened another important door in his career.
One of the key moments was his involvement around Megan’s “Hot Girl Summer.” The song brought together Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign and included Milano among its writers. His credits continued expanding afterward, giving him a growing presence behind records performed by some of the biggest names in contemporary music.
This transition is a useful part of understanding Milano. He did not simply abandon performing; instead, songwriting gave him a different position within the industry. Rather than depending entirely on his own releases, he could contribute to songs created for artists with huge audiences.
Derrick Milano and the Grammy-Winning “Savage Remix”
The defining milestone of Milano’s early songwriting career came through “Savage Remix,” Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration with Beyoncé.
The remix was released in 2020 and became one of the year’s major hip-hop records. The Recording Academy’s official Grammy information lists Derrick Milano among the songwriters alongside Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Brittany Hazzard, Terius “The-Dream” Nash, Megan Thee Stallion, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe and Anthony White.
At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021, “Savage” won Best Rap Song, making Milano a Grammy-winning songwriter. The Recording Academy’s own artist database currently lists him with one Grammy win and one nomination.
That distinction is worth mentioning because some entertainment websites have published larger Grammy counts for Milano. The official Recording Academy profile is the stronger source for his Grammy record, and it currently records one win and one nomination.
The success of “Savage Remix” also demonstrated why songwriting can be such a powerful career path. Milano did not need to be the lead performer for millions of people to hear work he helped create. His contribution became part of a Grammy-winning and commercially significant record performed by two of the most prominent artists in music.
Songs and Artists Derrick Milano Has Worked With
Milano’s catalog stretches well beyond “Savage.” Current music databases and his Spotify songwriter page show credits involving artists from different areas of popular music. Spotify currently lists 166 songs written, with notable entries including Ava Max’s “Kings & Queens,” BTS songs, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage Remix” and “Hot Girl Summer,” Pop Smoke’s “Get Back,” and Moneybagg Yo’s “Time Today.”
AllMusic’s credit database adds further evidence of his range. His credits include work connected to Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Kiana Ledé, Tinashe, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Babyface, Rich the Kid, Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice, Latto, City Girls and others. The database shows Milano working in different capacities, including composer, producer, vocal producer, featured artist and vocals.
This range is one reason Milano is better understood as a multi-role music creator rather than simply a songwriter. His credits show that he can contribute to the writing process while also helping shape production and vocals.
Derrick Milano and Ciara’s “Da Girls”
Another important example of his versatility came through Ciara’s “Da Girls.” The original song, released in March 2023, credited Milano among its producers alongside OG Parker, Romano, tenroc and Mike Woods.
Two months later, Ciara released an R&B Slow Mix featuring Milano. On that version, he moved from primarily working behind the scenes to appearing directly on the record. Rated R&B reported that Milano described himself as someone inspired by creatives such as The-Dream, Pharrell, Timbaland and Missy Elliott and interested in showing his abilities across multiple parts of music creation.
The collaboration illustrated an important aspect of his career: even after becoming successful as a songwriter, he continued looking for ways to bring his own voice and artistic identity into the music.
Derrick Milano’s Work With BTS
One of the biggest developments in Milano’s career arrived in 2026 through BTS.
According to a September 2026 announcement from Shore Fire Media for Vitalize Records, Milano contributed creatively to six songs on BTS’ ARIRANG: “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “2.0,” “SWIM,” “Merry Go Round” and “NORMAL.” His contributions included songwriting, melodies, vocal arrangements and background vocals.
A June 2026 V13 Media interview with Milano provided more detail about how the collaboration developed. Milano explained that work with BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Lisa helped lead to an introduction to BTS’s team. He eventually worked on six records over a two- to three-day period.
The significance of the BTS connection is not just the size of the group. “SWIM” became a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 for BTS in 2026, giving Milano a songwriting contribution to a chart-topping global release in another major music market. Yonhap confirmed that “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the chart week dated April 4, 2026.
Milano’s involvement with ARIRANG therefore represents another stage in his evolution: a songwriter with established American hip-hop and R&B credentials demonstrating that his ideas can travel across genres, languages and international pop markets.
Derrick Milano and CORTIS
Milano’s 2026 credits have not been limited to BTS. Spotify’s songwriter page lists “REDRED” by CORTIS as his latest release, while music-credit sources identify him as a composer and writer on the song.
He was also credited on CORTIS’ “MOTION,” featuring Juicy J, as a composer and lyricist.
These releases show how wide Milano’s professional network has become. His work now connects established American rap figures, global K-pop acts and emerging artists, rather than remaining tied to one genre or one market.
Derrick Milano’s New Solo Chapter in 2026
Perhaps the most important current development in Milano’s career is that he is once again putting himself at the center of the story.
On September 23, 2026, Vitalize Records announced that Milano had signed with the independent label for a solo project. The announcement described the deal as a new chapter in which he would move beyond being known primarily as the songwriter behind other people’s hits and focus on his own artistry.
The label announcement said Milano was preparing a new single for October 2026. It also emphasized that the upcoming material is intended to combine his songwriting background with his own voice and identity as an artist.
That makes the current period especially interesting. Milano spent years building credibility behind the scenes. Now he has the opportunity to use that experience directly in his own releases. His songwriting history gives him a strong foundation, but his success as a solo artist will ultimately depend on how audiences respond when he becomes the primary voice rather than the person credited in the liner notes.
Derrick Milano and Blac Chyna
Milano has also received substantial public attention because of his relationship with television personality and rapper Angela White, formerly known as Blac Chyna.
The couple began dating in May 2023 and publicly confirmed their relationship later that year. In October 2024, Milano proposed to White onstage at Howard University’s Yardfest during a surprise proposal. PEOPLE reported that he serenaded her with Mario’s “Let Me Love You” before getting down on one knee.
However, the engagement did not lead to marriage. In July 2025, the couple publicly announced that they had called off their engagement. PEOPLE reported that both described the decision as a mutual one and said they remained friends.
The relationship became part of Milano’s public profile, but it is his music career that provides the clearest measure of his professional trajectory. His recent work with BTS and CORTIS, followed by the Vitalize Records signing, indicates that his attention is increasingly returning to music.
What Makes Derrick Milano Stand Out?
Milano’s biggest advantage may be his ability to operate in more than one role. He can write, produce, arrange vocals, perform and collaborate without being locked into a single artistic identity. That flexibility has allowed him to work with performers whose styles are very different from one another.
His career also illustrates how invisible much of the modern music business can be. A listener may know a chorus, beat or verse without knowing who helped create it. Milano became one of those behind-the-scenes names whose credits gradually accumulated across successful projects until his own story became impossible to separate from the records.
The other notable point is his ability to adapt. His early work was rooted in rap and independent music, his breakthrough came through mainstream American hip-hop, and his more recent credits connect him to global pop and K-pop. That progression suggests that Milano’s career is less about one specific genre than about his ability to contribute creatively wherever a strong musical opportunity appears.
Frequently Asked Questions About Derrick Milano
What is Derrick Milano’s real name?
His real name is Derrick Carrington Gray. Public biographical sources identify Derrick Milano as his professional name.
How old is Derrick Milano?
Derrick Milano was born on December 24, 1993. He is 32 years old as of October 2026.
What is Derrick Milano best known for?
He is best known as a songwriter and producer whose credits include major songs for Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Pop Smoke and other prominent artists. His Grammy breakthrough came with “Savage Remix.”
Did Derrick Milano win a Grammy?
Yes. The Recording Academy lists Milano as the winner of Best Rap Song at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards for “Savage,” with the award credited to the song’s listed songwriters. The Academy currently records one win and one nomination for him.
Did Derrick Milano work with BTS?
Yes. In 2026, he contributed to six BTS songs on ARIRANG: “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “2.0,” “SWIM,” “Merry Go Round” and “NORMAL.”
Is Derrick Milano releasing his own music?
He is moving into a new solo chapter. Vitalize Records announced his signing in September 2026 and said a new single was planned for October 2026.
Final Thoughts on Derrick Milano
Derrick Milano’s career is a good example of how a modern music professional can build influence without always standing at the front of the stage. He started as a young recording artist, developed his reputation through songwriting and production, helped create a Grammy-winning record, expanded his list of major collaborators and eventually entered the global K-pop market through BTS.
Now, in 2026, the direction is changing again. His six-song contribution to ARIRANG, work with CORTIS and new Vitalize Records deal have positioned him for a more visible solo career.
The most interesting part of Milano’s story may be what comes next. He has already spent years learning how successful records are written, arranged and produced for other performers. The next test is whether he can turn that experience into a defining identity of his own.
