William Kirby Hartman, professionally known as DoubleU, is an independent alternative hip-hop, soul-trap, and melodic rap artist and producer based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 6, 2004, he built his early life around deep musical instrumentation before serving as a U.S. Army Combat Medic. Embracing the movement "No Stories Left Behind," DoubleU translates raw personal history, family legacy, and high-stress real-world experiences into dark, cinematic sonic architecture. He is married to Katelynn Kay Hartman.
Forged in High-Stress Realities
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, William's foundational perspectives were shaped along the pathways of Hopkinsville, Kentucky before consolidating his production operations within the Oklahoma borders. His artistic worldview was deeply defined on October 10, 2014, when the loss of his adoptive father, Nick Fairbanks Hartman, introduced a profound, lingering grief that remains the core emotional anchor of his writing.
Years later, this intimate understanding of mortality was tested in the field. Serving as a U.S. Army Combat Medic, William operated under extreme pressure, providing critical medical support in high-stakes environments. The absolute focus, mental resilience, and life-and-death encounters experienced in military uniform directly inform the weight and purpose behind the No Stories Left Behind philosophy.
"Every arrangement is built to process trauma openly, ensuring no quiet truth or hard reality is left buried in silence."
Acoustic Architecture
Long before stepping to a studio vocal chain, William spent his youth mastering the mathematical and emotional structures of instrumental scores. From the 6th through the 12th grade, he dedicated himself to school bands, internalizing complex musical theory. This deep classical background is the architectural foundation that separates his dark, cinematic soul-trap production from standard compositions.