If you haven’t been hip to Kaytranada yet, don’t worry, it only takes a matter of time until you’ll know his name. The Montreal has had a monumental year in 2014 remixing several singles, working with fellow up-and-coming artists like Vic Mensa and Goldlink, while somehow finding the time to make his own music and tour. Pretty impressive huh? Fortunately for us, this is only the beginning. In December, Kaytranada ended the year with news that he has earned a residency on BBC Radio 1 alongside big name DJs such as Flying Lotus, Solomun, and George Fitzgerald. He has also announced that he will drop an album this year , and recently appeared on the bill of Governor’s Ball.
With all this good news lingering on the net, we thought it would be dope to give you 5 Kaytranada tracks that caught our attention. Be careful though, his upbeat production may make you head-nod a lot faster than expected.
Teedra Moses – Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Edition)
Who’d ever thought Teedra Moses could be remixed so beautifully. When Kaytranada dropped the his edit of “Be Your Girl” in early February of last year, it definitely had to be in rotation for Valentines Day. K’s remix took a the slower tempo from the 04′ version and sped it up. Add some snares, claps and bass, and you’ll have a dope track you can play for your other or the dance floor.
At All
Released back in 2013, “At All” was one of the dopest original songs that Kaytranada made that year. The song has an upbeat tempo like many of K’s jams. However, this one was unique, especially when it dropped. You can hear the At All vocals vibe well the the beat, but when that beat switches, “At All”‘s vibe continues to give you cool vibes in and out.
BADBADNOTGOOD – Kaleidoscope (Kaytranada Flip)
BBNG’s already a dope band that takes its experimental style of jazz into the world of hip hop. But with Kaytranada’s unique style to the mix, this once dark song is transformed into a jam gets you moving. Nada’ might’ve not used the entire 7 minute song, but this Kaleidoscope succeeds and transforming a song like BBNG’s into a new life form.
Vic Mensa – Wimmie Nah (prod. by Kaytranada)
If the man has been blessing us with dope beats and remixes, why would you think Kaytranada wouldn’t make beats? Luckily for us, he chose Vic Mensa, or visa versa. “Wimmie Nah” When this loose dropped a few months ago, you heard this track on at least 4 mixes. Kaytranada’s beat is cool, using high echoes and consistent bass, with Mensa’s energetic style oddly matching the vibe of the production. “Wimmie Nah” feels like an anthem for the weirder side of music in Chicago, with Mensa using several hints about the city’s culture and how he is a big part of it. We’re definitely hoping that these two characters collab again.
Leave Me Alone (ft. Shay Lia)
How do you get people excited about your new project? Give them a taste of what they’re waiting for. Mid-August, when “Leave Me Alone” first released on Soundcloud, Nada’ dropped an explosive song that answered just how good his upcoming project “So Bad” would be. “Leave Me Alone” uses Say Lia’s unique voice for a brief intro to the beat and the chorus. Both Kaytranada and Lia’s input to the song feeds off of each other, giving you a two-punch combo of a groovy instrumental and soothing voice.
