Kaytranada

Osheaga, Montreal QC, August 4

Photo: Chris Bubinas

BY Courtney Baird-LewPublished Aug 5, 2019

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Since his meteoric rise to mainstream fame — all while amassing legions of fans and winning the Polaris Music Prize for his 2016 album 99.9% along the way — Louis Kevin Celestin, aka Montreal-bred DJ/producer Kaytranada, has kept himself out of the direct, burning spotlight, but never out of mind.
 
Over the past few years, he has released a constant stream of hip-hop and soul-infused singles and EPs, all serving as reminders of his expert ear and prodigious talent for creating a great beat.
 
Taking to the stage in front of a massive hometown crowd filled with fellow Quebecois musicians cheering on their lionized peer, Kaytranada launched into "Chances," featuring Shay Lia, off of the 2018 EP "Nothing Like U" / "Chances," the phrase "from the basement to the dance floors" projected on the stage's massive screens.
 
Moving through bouncy remixes of Rihanna's "Kiss It Better" and Chance the Rapper's "All Night," along with tracks from 99.9%, all with dark-hued, at times Blair Witch-esque, night vision visuals creating a contrast to the airy beats, Kaytranada stood happily behind the boards, saying the occasional "ha!" and "merci" to the crowd.
 
Inviting his brother Louis-Philippe Celestin, aka Lou Phelps, to join him for the track "Come Inside," Kaytranada kept his smooth, highly danceable set going into the late afternoon.

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