Artist Spotlight: Kaytranada + New Track with Chance the Rapper

Louis Celestin, known by his stage name Kaytranada, is a Haitian-born and Canadian-raised musician who’s been making an explosive rise in the industry. Kaytranada began to DJ at the age of 14 and now ten years later he’s released over forty remixes, a handful of EPs, over 20 singles, a full-length album and has countless production credits. He’s an international success having toured in more than 50 Canadian, American, European and Australian cities.

He began his professional career in 2010 under that alias Kaytradamus, eventually changing it to Kaytranada in 2012. His remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” went viral via Soundcloud in 2012 and sent him into superstardom. Since then he’s become known for his mixing mastery, turning beloved tunes into new favorites. His sound bridges the gap between the dance world and hip-hop/RnB, and it’s simply magnificent. His joyful house/disco infusions are unbeatable. In December 2014 he signed with esteemed record label XL Recordings. A year and a half later in May of 2016 Kaytranada released his debut album 99.9%. The album includes features from GoldLink, AlunaGeorge, Syd tha Kyd, Anderson Paak, and Vic Mensa among others. The album won the 2016 Polaris Music Prize. This debut album was just the first of many we hope as he continues to grow a fanbase with every lease.

Kaytranda has gone on to play major festivals including Life Is Beautiful, Coachella, CRSSD and Paradiso. He’s caught the attention of some huge players, too. He helped produce Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN” and he’s just released a new track with Chance the Rapper. Although Chance has been playing the tune in his live sets for a couple years now, Kaytranada debuted “They Say” on the most recent installment of Pharrell’s OTHERtone program on Beats 1 Radio. It officially dropped this past week. Together the two make magic on this feel-good, catchy summer tune.

Chance The Rapper – They Say (Prod. Kaytranada)

Things are certainly looking up for Kaytranada these days but that hasn’t always been the case. He dropped out of high school and began helping to support his family who had immigrated from Haiti to Montreal shortly after he was born. In a 2016 piece with The Fader he opened up about his trouble with depression, loneliness, and self-identity. He said “I’ve been sad my whole life, but fuck that. I know I have good things ahead.” Good things are ahead, indeed.

Kaytranada is making his Phoenix debut alongside The Gaslamp Killer and Sango on Friday, August 11, at The Pressroom in Phoenix, AZ.  August 11th. Grab tickets here.

Connect with Kaytranada: Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud