KAYTRANADA

Biography

Kaytranada, born Louis Kevin Celestin on August 25, 1992, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moved to Montreal, Canada, at a young age, where his musical journey began. Dropping out of high school at 15 to focus on music, he initially released tracks under the name Kaytradamus before adopting the moniker Kaytranada in 2012. His early work, consisting of remixes and original productions, quickly gained traction online, leading to a deal with XL Recordings in 2014.

Kaytranada's debut album, '99.9%' (2016), showcased his signature blend of electronic, hip-hop, funk, soul, and R&B, earning him the Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award. His follow-up, 'BUBBA' (2019), further cemented his reputation, winning the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album and featuring collaborations with artists like Pharrell Williams, Kali Uchis, and Masego. Known for his instantly recognizable production style—marked by swinging rhythms and genre-blurring grooves—Kaytranada has become a sought-after producer, working with a wide range of artists and influencing the sound of modern dance and hip-hop music.

Beyond his solo work, Kaytranada is one half of the hip-hop duo The Celestics with his brother Lou Phelps and has produced for icons such as Madonna, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige. His innovative approach and global touring, including supporting The Weeknd in 2023 and performing at major festivals like Coachella, have solidified his legacy as a transformative figure in contemporary music.

Fun Facts

• Kaytranada's stage name was originally 'Kaytradamus,' but he changed it to avoid confusion with another artist, Flosstradamus.
• He is openly gay and has spoken about the challenges of coming out in the hip-hop and dance music scenes.
• Kaytranada's Boiler Room sets, particularly his viral Janet Jackson 'If' remix, helped catapult him to international fame.
• He dropped out of high school at age 15 to pursue music full-time, betting on his passion over traditional education.

Associated Acts

• KAYTRAMINÉ - eponymous, original
• The Celestics

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• J Dilla - Major stylistic influence, especially in hip-hop beat-making and sampling techniques (General influence on Kaytranada's early production style) [2010s]

Key Collaborators

• Lou Phelps - Brother and co-member of The Celestics duo (The Celestics projects) [2010s-present]
• Anderson .Paak - Frequent collaborator, featured on debut album (99.9% (2016)) [2016]
• Pharrell Williams - Featured artist on second album (BUBBA (2019)) [2019]
• Kali Uchis - Collaborator on second album (BUBBA (2019)) [2019]
• GoldLink - Collaborator on debut album (99.9% (2016)) [2016]
• Syd - Collaborator on debut album (99.9% (2016)) [2016]
• Charlotte Day Wilson - Collaborator on second album (BUBBA (2019)) [2019]

Artists Influenced

• Shay Lia - Montreal-based singer whose sound and career have been shaped by Kaytranada's production and mentorship (Produced tracks for Shay Lia) [2010s-present]
• Emerging electronic and hip-hop producers - Inspired a generation of producers, as evidenced by the proliferation of 'how to make a Kaytranada-type beat' tutorials online (General influence on internet beat-making culture) [2010s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Intimidated (feat. H.E.R.)
2. YOU'RE THE ONE (99.9%)
3. Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) (TIMELESS)
4. 10% (feat. Kali Uchis) (BUBBA)
5. Snap My Finger (feat. PinkPantheress) (TIMELESS)
6. What You Need (feat. Charlotte Day Wilson) (BUBBA)
7. Feel A Way (feat. Don Toliver) (TIMELESS)
8. Girl (feat. KAYTRANADA) (Ego Death)
9. CHANCES
10. Vex Oh feat. GoldLink & Ari PenSmith (BUBBA)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-r&b, #hip-hop, #house