Kaytranada’s Debut Album is 99.9% Hot! (Audio)

Photo: Liam MacRae

Haitian-Canadian producer, Louis Kevin Celestin better known by stage name, Kaytranada is a force! Over the span of his short career, he has released approximately 13 EPs, over 40 remixes, performed across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Australia, and has opened for Madonna on her Rebel Heart Tour. His Janet Jackson “If” remix is what caused many to pay more attention to Kaytranada. Now at 23 years, and being signed to XL Recordings (label that has released music by The White Stripes, Radiohead, Tyler the Creator, SBTRKT, Dizzie Rascal, and the late Gil Scott-Heron), we can now hear his highly anticipated debut album, 99.9%.

The album features a colourful host of notable independent artists, starting with jazz musician and hip hop producer Karriem Riggins (Slum Village, Erykah Badu, Common, J Dilla, The Roots, Dwele, Talib Kweli) and musician River Tiber (Drake and BADBADNOTGOOD) on “Bus Ride” in a jazz, hip hop fusion instrumental. Kaytranada has also resurrected UK singer/songwriter, now based in Los Angeles, Craig David on “Got It Good” in a two step dirty bass gem perfectly designed for David. The UK-based electronic duo AlunaGeorge and GoldLink perform “Together,” a laid back track but stays true to AlunaGeorge’s dance nature. “One Too Many” featuring Phonte (The Foreign Exchange) is an extension of that The Foreign Exchange sound. The two highlights are by Shay Lia on “Leave Me Alone” with its ethereal beginning that leads to the Kaytranada’s signature bass drop and the perfect pairing with Anderson .Paak and Kaytranada on “Glowed Up” which has a wonderful melancholic music change mid-point, giving two tracks in one. In closing out with 99.9%, our favourite Swedish band Little Dragon, are featured on “Bullets” a mid-tempo electro pop track with Yukimi Nagano‘s lullaby-esque vocals.

Overall, 99.9% is a solid debut where Kaytranada’s chameleon-like production style allows him to creates songs befitting of the artist’s already established style. Looking forward to hear what Kaytranada evolves into.

His world tour kicked off this month. Check the list below to find out when he will hit your town.

05/19 – Montréal, Quebec @ Metropolis
05/20 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Danforth Music Hall
05/24 – San Diego, California @ Observatory North
05/25 – Los Angeles, California @ The Fonda
05/26 – Orange County, California @ The Observatory
05/27 – San Francisco, California @ Mezzanine
05/28 – Seattle, Washington @ Showbox
05/29 – Portland, Oregon @ Euphoria
05/31 – Denver, Colorado @ Gothic Theatre
06/01 – New York, New York @ Highline Ballroom
06/03 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
06/04 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ The Roots Picnic
06/11 – Manchester, UK @ Parklife Festival
06/12 – Brighton, UK @ Wild Life Festival
06/13 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus
06/17 – Lisbin, Portugal @ Village Underground
06/18 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sonar Festival
07/23 – New York, NY @ Panorama Music & Arts Festival
10/21 – Melbourne, AUS @ 170 Russell
10/22 – Northbridge, AUS @ Metro City
10/27 – Fortitude Valley, AUS @ The Tivoli
10/28 – Auckland, NZ @ Studio
10/29 – Newtown, NZ @ Enmore Theatre