Ever since he uploaded that quick-to-go-viral remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” three years ago, Haitian-born Canadian artist Kaytranada, aka Louis Kevin Celestin, has been known for beats that have a knack for circulating the net. However, come this Friday, his first physical release is set to drop in the form of his long-awaited debut album, 99.9%.
Going far beyond reworking golden oldies, it’s quite the debut, with fifteen tracks of original material fusing a range of sounds and styles–from disco, R&B and jazz to soul, hip-hop and EDM. PAPER MAGAZINE caught up with Kaytranada to talk about his phone call from Madonna, being a “background dude” and why his happiness always comes first.
