Katawhy (pronounced kat–ow–hi) is a lo-fi hip-hop producer whose music feels lived-in—quiet, reflective, and rooted in perseverance. An Afro-Asian artist from Maryland with Caribbean roots in Trinidad and Jamaica, Katawhy’s journey hasn’t followed a straight line. It’s been shaped by health challenges, faith, travel, and a steady refusal to rush success.
He began his music career as a rapper under the name “Vin,” releasing introspective work from 2013 to 2021. His shift into production came unexpectedly while working at a small local recording studio at the Gaithersburg Youth Center in Maryland. There, he mentored kids, teaching them how to make beats, record, mix, and write lyrics. When the studio manager left, Katawhy had to step up fast. After being introduced to Maschine, everything clicked. He started coming in early, making four to five beats a day, and soon released two beat tapes on Bandcamp.
But the most defining part of his story isn’t a piece of gear—it’s his health. Katawhy has lived his entire life with Retinopathy of Prematurity, a condition that has repeatedly threatened his vision. As he puts it, “So far I’ve gone blind in my left eye 5 times. Every time a blood vessel ruptures my eye fills with fluid, blocking my vision for months at a time.” He’s undergone multiple procedures and continues to face uncertainty, yet his outlook remains grounded. “It’s tough, but it’s made me resourceful and reminds me to keep my eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ… knowing He will provide a way for me always.”
That resilience carried him across the world to Southeast Asia. During his time in Aklan, Philippines, Katawhy found a second home. “It felt like my second home, the vibes and lifestyle are so similar to Trinidad, so being there was like being in my backyard.” Many of his beats are named after places he visited there, turning travel into sound.
Rebranding as Katawhy was encouraged by his fiancée, who also inspired his creative rebirth. In 2024, he proposed to her in Jawili, Philippines, and later released a music video for his song “Warm.” Today, with over 100,000 Spotify streams and new music in the works, Katawhy remains low-key, intentional, and focused on purpose over hype.
