Seattle native Kateel has yet to pop up on the wider public's consciousness, but the 21-year-old rapper and producer has shown early signs that he has the artistic ability to spar with some of the genre's brightest talents. At the tail end of 2019, he released "Different Problems," a track in which his gift for nimble flows and storytelling were on display. On it, he rapped about his life in recent years: not being cool in high school, surfing on couches after graduating to pursue music, etc. It was the type of coming-of-age story that's essential to becoming familiar with a new artist.
Today, The FADER is premiering a video for another track that was released late last year with "I Ain't Forgot." Much like "Different Problems," the song touches on his journey through his early life thus far. Kateel directed the video as well. “'I Aint Forgot' is about remembering where and what I come from," he said in an email. "The concept is: an older version of myself watches memories of my childhood on VHS. I show the real people and places I grew up around and give a taste of Seattle culture. We shot the video in the gyms and barbershops I went to. I wanted to capture the Teen Center Late Night scene. Late Night is an event that happens every weekend at Community Centers throughout the city from 7p.m. to midnight. It’s a place for teens to hang out, play sports, and stay out of trouble. Late Night really helped shape who I am today. Rest in peace to Glenn Hubbard, the leader of the community center I went to most.”
Watch the video above.