(upbeat hip-hop music)
- [Narrator] There are some artists
that apply pressure 24/7/365
consistently proving why they're deserving of our attention.
Their talent might keep us grooving on the dance floor,
smiling at the big screen, or enjoying them
from our front row seats
while they positively impact pop culture.
No matter where they are,
these artists bless us with their gifts and get us right.
(upbeat hip-hop music)
"Bubba," Kaytranada's 2019 album,
won big at the 63rd Grammys.
marking a historical moment for the award show
and the Canadian producer.
Not only did Kaytranada's Kali Uchis collab, "10%,"
win Best Dance Recording, but the entire LP
took home an award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
This was Kaytranada's first every Grammy win
that solidified his place as the first black artist to win
in the dance, electronic album category.
Previous winners of the category,
which was first presented in 2005,
include Lady Gaga, "The Fame,"
Daft Punk, "Alive 2007," and La Roux for "La Roux."
Baltimore musician, Abdul Ali is quoted saying,
"We are dance culture."
Ali said before writing in a series
of tweets about how black electronic musicians and DJs
are too often overlooked, especially if they're LGBTQ plus.
Kaytranada has totally re- imagined
what we know to be the remix,
giving us mixes to our favorite bops
we didn't know we needed.
It can be taboo to touch classics,
but when Kaytranada adds his magic to tracks
and applies some of that J Dilla influence on pop classics,
the product is undeniable.
His most popular remixes are,
"You're The One," featuring Syd,
"Kiss of Life," Sade, "Be Your Girl," Teedra Moses,
and, "I Can Love You," Mary J. Blige.
Kaytranada keeps the track recognizable,
adding his signature drums, a new baseline
and his magic to make it hot.
It's no secret that Kaytranada loves some '90s music,
and it is possible no other remix
embodies the spirit of '90s hip- hop
more than the one where A Tribe Called Quest
trades verses with the Fugees
to create a lyrical rumble in the jungle
further solidifying his place in hip-hop history
getting a production credit
on an original Mobb Deep track "My Block,"
is about as hip hop as it gets.
And we can't forget Pharrell's "Happy Kaytranada Edition"
where he really takes the song into new territory,
even more soulful.
He's known for his unique, signature style
which is heavily influenced by his love of R&B
and an infatuation with J Dilla's production techniques.
A quick listen to this man's incredible remixes
will uncover J Dilla's captivating sound all over them
and the delayed boom-bap approach
has really found a niche in popular culture
as he continues to play festivals and sold-out shows
all over the world.
In Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
Kaytranada is basically the man.
He brought the Boiler Room to its knees
in his Canadian homeland with some soul, house,
funk, hip-hop and disco, they weren't ready.
The Boiler Room is a community of artists
connecting club culture to the wider world,
on screen and in real life through parties,
film, and video.
It could almost go without saying that his set
is one of the best, if not the best,
Boiler Room of all time.
His DJ set is one of the most popular sets to date,
garnering over 16 million views as of today.
Opening with a mix of The Roots "Silent Treatment,"
we hear Flume's "Holding On" at the four minute mark,
clearly highlighting that we're listening
to a mix from 2013.
This set has gone viral repeatedly putting him on the map
and garnering attention from music's greats.
K can be seen on YouTube playing some originals
and remixes while receiving that hometown glory.
Kaytranada's decade-long musical career
has given hit after hit.
His story is inspiring
and his musical talent has gotten us right.
His dedication, passion and creative sound
exhibits the power and expansiveness of black music, go DJ.
(upbeat electronic music)