Top 5 Feature: Don Kartel

Early Life And Family

Don J. White Jr. (stage name Don Kartel) was born to Jenise Hoagland and Don White Sr. in Mansfield, Ohio on Nov. 1, 1991. He grew up navigating a blended family that includes two biological younger brothers and half-siblings “Charles” and “Valerie” Catchings, shaping a deep sense of responsibility, loyalty, and legacy. Family and community became the foundation for his creative voice and leadership.

Musical Origins And Influences

Don fell in love with music early, drawing inspiration from artists who shaped modern rhythm and performance: Michael Jackson, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Drake & Future. Those influences informed his sense of melody, stagecraft, and storytelling; pushing him to blend emotional honesty with showmanship. Music became both refuge and a platform for a way to translate life’s pressure into purposeful expression.

Education And Musical Training

Don studied Digital Arts & Visual Communications, merging visual storytelling with sonic identity to build cinematic branding and merch concepts. He played saxophone from middle school through high school and was a committed member of the Mansfield Senior High School marching band, where discipline and collaborative performance sharpened his craft. That combination of visual design skills and instrumental training informs his multi-sensory approach to releases and live shows.

Athletics And Extracurriculars

Athletics were central to Don’s youth: he competed in basketball and track & field; experiences that reinforced competitiveness, teamwork, and endurance. Sports fed the same discipline he brings to music and community projects.

Identity And Creative Mission

As “Don Kartel,” Don channels resilience, fatherhood, and community into music that crosses genres like Afrobeat, rock-rap, country, soul, R&B, drill, dancehall, and pop-rap—all while keeping emotional authenticity at the center. He builds collaborative spaces for local artists, mentors younger creatives, and designs visuals and merch that reflect cultural pride and cinematic energy. His work is a living legacy that turns struggle into momentum.

Creative Skill Sets

Photography; Videography; Cinematography; Film Production; Directing; Editing. Don excels behind the camera and in the editing bay, directing and producing visual narratives that bring his music to life. He combines cinematic composition, lighting, and motion with tight edit work to create immersive music videos, performance films, and branded visuals that amplify his message and connect with audiences emotionally.

Encouragement For Emerging Artists

You belong in this art; keep writing, recording, and sharing your truth every single day. Hard days sharpen your craft; treat setbacks as lessons that refine your sound and vision. Build your circle with people who raise standards, not lower them, and protect your creative energy. Invest in your skills and visuals; the next level comes to those who master both sound and presentation. Stay consistent, stay humble, and stay hungry; persistence turns small steps into lasting legacy.

Latest Album Project Releases

Revolve

https://music.apple.com/us/album/revolve-ep/1805969065

Forevermore

https://music.apple.com/us/album/forevermore/1717569980