People say pain brings out an incredible narrative. For upcoming hip-hop artist ATEE, his challenging upbringing brought forth stories carried through poetry and eventually found its way to music. Today, the artist aspires to use his past to inspire music lovers around the world.
ATEE was born Aaron Talukder, in Kirkland, Washington, and lived most of his life in a rugged suburb in the Detroit area called Roseville. Unlike most kids who spent days playing to their heart’s content, the artist faced a difficult childhood in a broken home. He witnessed his parents’ broken relationships. Although his father was with him, the artist shared that he was never there for him mentally and emotionally as a father figure. Prone to trouble with his neighborhood friends, he spent time in and out of jail.
Throughout his adversities, ATEE found comfort in poetry. There was something about writing that released a different side of him. His love for poetry began at the young age of 11, and it has been with him ever since. Along the way, his poetic words merged with his interest in hip-hop and rap music at age 13. The artist began writing one song after another, and the rest was history.
Five years later, his father returned to his life and took him out of a rough area. Together, they started a new life in Seattle. With his lyrics derived from his poetry, ATEE stood out from other aspiring artists in his community. What were formerly poems transformed into lyrical stories that captivated people and catapulted his career into the spotlight. It wasn’t long before the music industry began noticing the young artist from Seattle brimming with talent.
However, his journey to becoming the artist he is today was also challenging. In Seattle, ATEE dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but his business initiatives failed. The artist also struggled to keep over 30 jobs despite performing with an unmatched work ethic. Still, he remained resilient and optimistic about the future. As it turned out, ATEE was not made for the traditional working life but rather for bigger things as an artist.
Being one with a strong spirit, ATEE took the risk of pursuing a full-time career in music by purchasing his own studio equipment at 19 years old using his student loan. Experiencing the artistic freedom of producing his own music was, for him, a risk worth taking. He was determined to create beats and songs, and soon enough, his work amazed many listeners.
Asked what his secret was to success despite his trials, ATEE shared, “I believe being honest with yourself before you start anything is one of the big keys to success.” The artist fought through his adversities and never allowed his challenges to limit him from achieving his goals. Today, he is capturing listeners worldwide with his incredible music. He appeals to hip-hop fans from all walks of life.
Among his most notable songs is one called Glitch, a testament to how ATEE combined his passion for poetry and music. The track simultaneously reveals his artistry as a lyricist and as a musician. Simultaneously, the artist portrays versatility in terms of his sound, proving that he can touch music lovers of all ages.
“The cadence in my voice has a universal sound to it where a lot of people can relate to the message,” shared ATEE. Indeed, the rising hip-hop and rap star will soon dominate the industry with his uniqueness and imminent passion for his craft. Learn more about the artist by listening to his tracks on YouTube. Connect with him on Instagram and Facebook.
