stayc main image

Questlove to Direct Documentary for Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary

December 25, 2024

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the Grammy and Oscar-winning musician and filmmaker, is set to direct a music documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. Known for his...

Read more
stayc main image

Blondie Announces New Album for 2025 with Producer John Congleton

December 25, 2024

Blondie, the legendary new wave band that has defined decades of music, has officially confirmed their next album, set to release in 2025. The iconic group is teaming up with renowned producer...

Read more
stayc main image

The Kid LAROI: From Rising Star to Global Sensation

December 25, 2024

At just 20 years old, The Kid LAROI has already cemented his status as one of the most exciting and influential young artists in the music industry. Born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard in Sydney...

Read more
stayc main image

Clairo: Redefining Pop Music with Vulnerability and Innovation

December 25, 2024

Clairo, born Claire Cottrill, has emerged as one of the most authentic and innovative voices in contemporary music. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter first gained attention in 2017 with her viral...

Read more
stayc main image

Tyla: The South African Star Making Waves on the Global Music Scene

December 25, 2024

In 2024, amidst the dynamic world of popular music, few artists have made waves quite like Tyla. Emerging from Johannesburg—fondly called “Joburg” by locals—the South African singer has transformed...

Read more
stayc main image

The Legacy of King Von: A Rising Star Gone Too Soon

December 25, 2024

In the realm of modern hip-hop, few artists have managed to leave as profound an impact in as short a time as Dayvon Daquan Bennett, better known by his stage name, King Von. Born on August 9, 1994...

Read more
stayc main image

Adele’s ‘Million Years Ago’ Ordered Off Streaming Platforms Amid Plagiarism Allegations

December 25, 2024

A shocking turn of events has rocked the music industry as a judge has ordered Adele’s hit song “Million Years Ago” to be removed from all streaming platforms globally. The decision comes after a...

Read more
stayc main image

Unheard Michael Jackson Tracks Discovered in Abandoned Storage Unit

December 25, 2024

In a surprising twist worthy of a thriller, previously unheard Michael Jackson music has been unearthed from an abandoned storage unit. The discovery, which has sent shockwaves through the music...

Read more
stayc main image

The Complex Genius of Future: Chaos, Influence, and Emotional Alchemy

December 24, 2024

Over the past decade, Future has built a legacy that defies convention. Narcotized, addled, and tender by turns, his music is a kaleidoscope of trap ballads, twerk anthems, trippy blues, and...

Read more
stayc main image

Billie Eilish: A Record-Breaking Year and a Bold New Era

December 24, 2024

Billie Eilish, the multi-Grammy-winning artist and Gen Z icon, has once again proven her dominance in the music world. In August, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter became Spotify’s most-streamed...

Read more
stayc main image

Maroon 5: A Legacy of Pop-Rock Excellence

December 24, 2024

For over two decades, Maroon 5 has remained a prominent name in the music industry, captivating audiences with infectious pop-rock hits, smooth vocals, and an ability to evolve with the times...

Read more
stayc main image

GloRilla and Kehlani Bring Holiday Vibes with New Single ‘Xmas Time’

December 24, 2024

GloRilla and Kehlani are spreading festive cheer with their brand-new holiday track, Xmas Time. The unexpected collaboration between the rising rap star and the R&B powerhouse delivers a fresh...

Read more

Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

stayc main image

Photo Source: edm.com

Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work.

Kaytranada has a grasp on a wide variety of genres, which adds to his appeal. His style is unique, blending hip-hop, R&B, house, and funk into a nostalgic yet futuristic sound. Heavy basslines, intricate drum patterns, and soulful chord progressions characterize his work. He collaborates well with a variety of different artists, with a-list vocalists often accompanying his beats. Names like Anderson .Paak, The Weeknd, Kali Ulchis, Pharell Williams, and many others have been featured in his music.

There is no doubt that Kaytranada is a standout in today’s music world, but what does he do to craft his unique sound?

History

Louis grew up surrounded by music, and in his early teens, he began experimenting with music production. He made beats with DJ software, figuring things out as his brother (Lou Phelps) was starting a rapping career. His cousin then introduced him to Virtual DJ, and from there Kaytranada moved to teach himself FL Studios. As his brother puts it: “from then, he didn’t stop”. He found a community of beat-makers in Montreal and got his practice performing with them. He then broke out into the club scene.

Louis started touring as Kaytranada in 2013 after his remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” went viral.

He signed with XL records in 2014, but before that, he already had a huge following online from posting his original music, remixes, and beats to SoundCloud. Kaytranada’s early work (including his first album) was all produced in the basement of his family home in suburban Montreal.

While his remixes are what initially led to his rise, his own discography is electronic perfection. He has two studio albums (99.9% & BUBBA - both are critically revered), and countless EPs and mixtapes under his belt.

His Equipment

Kaytranada has shared insights into his process in interviews and on social media before, which has led to fans generating lists of what he uses. For software, he primarily uses a mixture of FL Studios, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro to produce his beats, with a variety of peripherals like hardware synths and drum machines.

His Technique & Sound

When he samples, he usually samples from jazz, old funk, and R&B, which adds a vintage and groovy feel to his work. Whether he samples or starts from scratch, Kaytranada is known for a syncopated drum pattern, with layered drum sounds to create a complex rhythm. His deep basslines move with the drums; combined with edgy kicks, claps, and shakers, making his songs intriguing and danceable. His sound can vary by project but is always recognizable - it only takes a second or two of a track to know it's his work.

He is known to prefer producing at home in comfortable environments, rather than in a studio. In-depth analyses of his individual tracks and production techniques are plentiful, but for him, producing is his purpose. When asked in a Complex interview about how he keeps his music fresh but on-brand, Louis responded with: “I don’t think about doing new, I just do it”.

Takeaways from Kaytranada’s Story

Kaytranada has grown to be one of the most exciting and innovative producers of our generation. He is entirely self-made, and his success is attributable both to his talent and his strong drive. Learning by doing has allowed him to perfect his craft, and as a result he is bound to inspire producers for generations to come.

Resources on Kaytranada’s Process

If you would like to learn more about Kaytranada’s career history and creative process, please see the following resources:

Kaytranada Interview With Red Bull Music Academy

https://youtu.be/TfKTcG6rnWk

How Kaytranada Produced “Glowed Up” - a deep dive into the process of remaking a hit song from his 2016 album “99.9%”

How to KAYTRANADA in 1 Minute - a quick YouTube short about the basics behind Kaytranada’s beats