Kateel on Switching Lanes from Basketball to Hip Hop, Self-Belief & 'Mind Over Matters' EP

Today, multi-talented artist and Seattle native, Kateel comes through for the latest installment of our 2020 interview series. From serving as captain of the basketball team at Nathan Hale - a high school known for producing NBA top talent - where he went on to win the national championship to leaving it all behind to pursue his music career, Kateel has put in the work to attain levels of success he only used to dream about.

But, that's not to say he hasn't had to face the adversity that comes along with following your dreams. Dealing with a bout of homelessness and lack of direction, Kateel had to dig deep and discover self-belief in order to get to where he is today. Not one to wallow in defeat, Kateel has been able overcome his obstacles, recently signing to Atlantic and being named ESPN’s Music Artist of the Month for September.

With a distinct sound that is a culmination of an eclectic musical palette including Prince, OutKast, D’Angelo and Bob Marley, Kateel is set to accomplish his goal of emerging as one of the most successful Black Hip Hop artists from Seattle.

Get into his inspirational story in this exclusive interview, where Kateel touches on sacrificing his NBA dreams to focus on music, the importance of self-belief and his debut EP, 'Mind Over Matters'. Right now and only Hype Off Life 👊🏾

What some people might not know is that you were a high school basketball star, with sights on the NBA. What inspired you to change lanes and focus on your music career?

I started getting really into music in high school. I had always listened to music and loved a vast variety of Hip Hop. I feel like somewhere along the way, I realized basketball had to be put to the back burner for me to really make it in music, and I was okay with that. So, I started shifting my focus to music and becoming as good as I can be.

What were your intentions when you first started rapping?

At  first my intentions for rapping was just to be nice at rapping and to get validation from others that I was nice at rapping.

Aside from rapping, you also write songs and produce. How has being a well rounded musician contributed to your success?

Well, I’m still trying to become a better musician but my skills in production, in writing my own music and songwriting helped me form more complete visions. It’s equipped me to be more independent. Despite being a signed artist I don’t have to hire as many producers and other people I have to pay, when I can do a lot of the things myself.

I want people to believe in themselves, believe that it’s okay to be confident. 

So, you just dropped your debut EP, ‘Mind Over Matters’. What does that title mean to you?

'Mind Over Matters' is a journey of me learning how to use my mind to manifest what I want in life. And in a more blanketed way, I would say mind over matters is really just a mindset. That no matter what’s going on, no matter what the current situations are, I can ease my mind to get through it.

Which track do listeners need to hear the most, and why?

They need to listen to the full 20 minutes, though if there was any track I could recommend most I would say “Mindset.” It’s probably the most motivational and it doesn’t have any concrete things that make it unique to one person’s experience. It’s really a song that encourages a striving for success mindset for any listener.

What is the overall message you want fans to take away from the project?

I want people to believe in themselves, believe that it’s okay to be confident. That it’s okay to have dreams, and it’s okay to believe in those dreams, to pursue them. Often times, I’ve been called corny, extra, try-hard, for just chasing my dreams. This project has a triumphant tone to it that I wish more people would utilize and believe in themselves despite whatever current situations they’re in.

In the midst of your come up you endured a bout of homelessness and directionless. What kept you going during such a rough time?

My family always believed in me, even during rough times, but there were times even I didn’t believe in myself. So, I had to somehow find self-belief in order to succeed. What I always believed in was my future. I may not have believed in myself in the current situations I was in at that time, but I did believe in my future and I knew that I was going to take whatever steps to create success for my future. And it required a lot of introspection for me to get through the main things that I needed to get through in that time.

Things are better now, in that you’re now signed to Atlantic and living out your dreams. What would you say has been the craziest part of your journey?

I would say the craziest, the best part of the journey has been the self-growth and being able to acknowledge that in myself and be proud of myself. Not in any arrogant way but in a real reflective way.

I may not have believed in myself in the current situations I was in at that time, but I did believe in my future and I knew that I was going to take whatever steps to create success for my future.

You have nearly 100,000 monthly Spotify listeners. Why do you think your music resonates with so many people?

Because it’s real and it’s authentic, I think people connect to it. When you’re real, people can feel it and when people feel realness, they connect to it.

What advice do you have for others following their dreams?

As cliche as it sounds, keep going, never stop believing in yourself, don’t listen to the hate, ignore the hate and prove yourself every chance you get.