Kaytranada
A SoundCloud rework of Janet Jackson, a Polaris Prize for 99.9% and two Grammys for Bubba: how Louis Kevin Celestin became Kaytranada.
- Born Louis Kevin Celestin on 25 August 1992 in Port-au-Prince; raised in Saint-Hubert, near Montreal.
- Debut album 99.9% (XL Recordings, 2016) won the Polaris Music Prize.
- Bubba and “10%” won two Grammys in 2021.
Kaytranada is Louis Kevin Celestin, a Haitian-Canadian producer and DJ who grew up near Montreal. His blend of house, hip hop, R&B and funk took him from bedroom reworks on SoundCloud to the Polaris Music Prize and two Grammy Awards.
Saint-Hubert and FL Studio
Celestin was born on 25 August 1992 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Shortly afterwards his family moved to Saint-Hubert, near Montreal. Around the age of 14 his brother, Lou Phelps, introduced him to FL Studio. His first sample, at 15, came from Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”. He left high school to make music full time; with Lou Phelps he also forms the hip hop duo The Celestics.
From 2010 he released music as Kaytradamus, putting out two projects under that name, before switching to Kaytranada in 2012.
The rework that changed everything
In 2013 his rework of Janet Jackson’s “If” became an overnight hit on SoundCloud. Two of his collaborations with other artists have their own stories in the archive: The Internet’s “Girl” and Chance the Rapper’s “All Night”. After releases on HW&W Recordings, an independent label based in Los Angeles and Toronto, he signed with XL Recordings in December 2014.
99.9% and Bubba
His debut album, 99.9%, came out on XL on 6 May 2016, with guests including GoldLink, AlunaGeorge, Syd, Anderson .Paak and Vic Mensa. It won the 2016 Polaris Music Prize for Canadian album of the year and the 2017 Juno for Electronic Album of the Year.
Bubba followed on RCA on 13 December 2019. On 14 March 2021 it won the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album, and “10%”, with Kali Uchis, won Best Dance Recording, ahead of nominees including Jayda G’s “Both of Us”.
Kaytraminé, Timeless and after
In 2023 he teamed up with the rapper Aminé on Kaytraminé, released on 19 May with Pharrell Williams, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Amaarae and Snoop Dogg among the guests. That year “Twin Flame”, with Anderson .Paak, won the Juno for Rap Single of the Year.
Timeless arrived on 7 June 2024, with Childish Gambino, PinkPantheress, Don Toliver and Ravyn Lenae, and earned two Grammy nominations, for the album and for “Witchy”. A year later he announced Ain’t No Damn Way! on 11 August 2025 and released it four days later. Its first single, “Space Invader”, samples Latrelle and Kelis’ “My Life”; it and his remix of Mariah Carey’s “Don’t Forget About Us” were nominated at the 2026 Grammys.
In the mix
Kaytranada’s tracks sit between house and hip hop: swung drums, basslines borrowed from funk and R&B, plenty of room for vocals. That makes them useful bridges between a hip hop set and a four-to-the-floor one.
FAQ
What is Kaytranada’s real name?
Louis Kevin Celestin. He was born on 25 August 1992 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and grew up in Saint-Hubert, near Montreal.
What Grammys has Kaytranada won?
Two, on 14 March 2021: Best Dance/Electronic Album for Bubba and Best Dance Recording for “10%”, featuring Kali Uchis.
What was Kaytranada’s first album?
99.9%, released on 6 May 2016 on XL Recordings. It won the 2016 Polaris Music Prize.
