Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Kaytranadahas what every producer strives for: an in-demand signature sound.
His records glide fluidly between four-to-the-floor house beats, hip-hop sample-flipping, and P-Funk style 808 bass lines.
Although the recognition may be overdue, the thrill of it hasnt worn off.
Im Kaytranada, all the way from Montreal, Canada been making beats since I was young.
And now here I am, [one of the] Best New Artists for the Grammys.
Its really crazy and exciting, he says.
Charlie: Take me to the start.
What got you into making music?
Kaytranada:Music was always in me.
I always wanted to make music.
Whats the backstory to the one that went viral first, your 2012 remix of Janet Jacksons If?
Kaytranada:I was really inspired by this Flying Lotus show that Id just seen.
And that night, I made that remix.
Posted it at 5 a.m.
I go to sleep.
The remix eventually blew up, and it got bigger.
So thats where the SoundCloud fame came from.
Charlie: Then each remix seemed to pop off bigger than the next.
What happened to take you from SoundCloud to boardrooms and stages?
I was not the same after.
Charlie: You were on the road opening as a DJ for Madonna.
So what pulled you back home to record your first LP [2016s99.9%]?
So I was like,Okay, I need to stop touring.
And then I went back home, still in my moms basement, and put everything together.
Charlie:99.9%has a lot collaborations Glowed Up with Anderson .Paak is a particular standout.
How did it come together?
Kaytranada:I made the beat around 2012 before I blew up.
Charlie: What do you mean library sounds?
Kaytranada:Like music for movies is: Its like instrumental music for moods.
Those vinyls always have amazing samples.
If you check on the sci-fi section, thats where they use the synths or vintage sounds.
Charlie: Sampling is core to your sound.
What drives you to produce in this fairly laborious form?
From the beginning, I sampled and sampled and learned from my favorite producers.
Charlie: What happens from 2016 to 2019, between99.9%andBubba?
Kaytranada:I was constantly making stuff.
I also moved out of my moms house.
I was going out partying more.
Charlie: Sounds like there was a moment of maybe a crisis of confidence.
How do you know when a beat is ready?
Kaytranada:There are some times that it just dont hit.
Sometimes you feel a kind of vibe.
You feel it in your body.
I just base it on whatever I feel in my heart.
Charlie: Is that howBubbastarts to come together?
And then I was like,Okay, an album is coming.
I had enough material, and it was all dance music.
The hip-hopall the beat stuff that was I makingis gonna wait for a while.And thats howBubbacame together.
How does this external validation change things for you?
Does it even change anything?
Kaytranada:Its amazing, man.
It definitely gives you a secure feeling that your stuff is dope, officially.
We know the Grammys have their controversies, but its still dope to be recognized.
Its something that is really historical, whether you like it or not.
Especially coming from where I come from.
Im always speechless when I talk about being nominated.
Cause it still feels a little weird, you know?
I cant really wrap my head around the fact that Im making stuff here, where Im sitting.
Charlie: Youre no longer in your moms basement.
But I even come back to my moms basement and make beats sometimes when Im bored.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
