Kaytranada's 11 most timeless collaborations

Kaytranada's latest album, Timeless, is stacked with features. With 15 guest artists — Tinashe, Childish Gambino, Anderson .Paak, Charlotte Day Wilson and Rochelle Jordan are just a sampling — it's his most collaborative album yet. 

Listening to the new music inspired us to look back at all the stellar collabs the Montreal producer has put out over the years. Kaytranada has a gift for creating productions that show us a new side of the artists that he works with. Take "What You Need," featuring Charlotte Day Wilson from the Grammy-winning album Bubba: it was the first time Day Wilson's rich alto had such an upbeat groove to float over, and it brought out a refreshing sensuality in her vocals. 

From his earliest hit, "You're the One," to songs fresh off the new album, we broke down the collaborations between Kaytranada and his musical partners that felt instantly timeless from the first listen. 

'Got it Good,' feat. Craig David (2016)

Kaytranada credits Twitter for connecting him with some of his dream collaborators for his debut album, 99.9%. That includes British R&B star Craig David, who reached out and asked for beats after following the Montreal producer. Together, they worked on five demos, but "Got it Good" was the only track that ever got released. Taking David out of his signature U.K. garage-inspired sound, "Got it Good" builds a slick new sonic space for his dreamy falsetto as it dances around a mesmerizing Jaime e Nair sample, leading to one of David's best performances ever. — Melody Lau

'Glowed Up,' feat. Anderson .Paak (2016)

While Kaytranada is a fixture in the electronic music world, he has a long history of hip-hop production credits and it's always a treat to hear him bring his sensibilities into that space. For "Glowed Up," an early single off the Polaris Prize-winning 99%, he teamed up with one of his most constant collaborators, Californian rapper Anderson .Paak. The two fit together seamlessly, Anderson .Paak's dexterous vocal delivery keeping up with whatever elaborate beat Kaytranada throws his way. "Glowed Up" is absolutely otherworldly, opening with synths that mimic an alien arrival, from a sample of "Raindrops" by Bobby Heath, Eric Peters and Robert Hunter. Sampling is one of the tenets of early hip-hop production, and Kaytranada has always borrowed that proclivity, with a whole arsenal of eclectic samples that set his beats apart. — Kelsey Adams

'You're the One,' feat. Syd (2016)

Before releasing his first album, Kaytranada dropped remixes of Janet Jackson and Teedra Moses that put him on the map. "You're the One" featuring Syd was the clear breakout hit off 99%, and became a symbol of Kaytranada's definitive voice as a producer: swinging drums, funky bass lines and melodious vocals that get imprinted on the mind. Syd sings "'Cause I do it for the thrill, for the rush/ I do it for the pain, for your touch," as her vocal is swept up in the rollicking back and forth of the percussion, ready to let go of any logical reasoning and give in to desire. This wasn't the first time the two linked up, as Kaytranada produced the dreamy "Girl" for Syd's band the Internet in 2015, and they created that magic again with "You're the One." — KA

'Vivid Dreams,' feat. River Tiber (2016)

Kaytranada creates loops that keep listeners in a trance, each production a world to get lost in. As River Tiber sings repeatedly on "Vivid Dreams": "I'm falling and I can't deny it." A dreamy, spaced-out atmosphere is created by the angelic ad libs and what sound like maracas, and then clipped drums that mimic hand-clapping come in and send the track into orbit. There's a solid minute where they just let the beat ride out before bringing the vocals back in. As much as Kaytranada uses vocals by evocative performers like River Tiber to create beautiful synergy, he also knows when to let the beat speak for itself. — KA

'10%,' feat. Kali Uchis (2019)

The only notice Kaytranada gave for his second album, Bubba, was this single featuring Kali Uchis that dropped on Dec. 9, 2019, four days before the record — and it won the producer his first Grammy for best dance/electronic recording. The song's thumping, surround-sound beat surfs under Uchis' inviting vocals, its layers of bass and synths building and dropping for maximum effect. It's a three-minute house party that re-introduced us to the producer after three years away — and with Uchis' voice leading the way, gave fans what is still considered one of his best tracks. — Holly Gordon

'What You Need,' feat. Charlotte Day Wilson (2019)

Kaytranada teamed up a second time with Toronto singer and producer Charlotte Day Wilson on his brand new album, but it's hard to beat the pair's first collaboration: the sizzling "What You Need" off Bubba. Hi-hats count off the track as Day Wilson's deep vocals emerge through the drums and synth chords — a hypnotic and enveloping combination that beats with life. The song soars when Day Wilson launches into the titular lyric on the chorus, extending the word "need" longingly as a bright synth riff pops in. "What You Need" really showcases Kaytranada's ability to mould a song around its featured singer, and that it was a fellow up-and-coming producer at the time made it all the more special. — HG

'The Worst in Me,' feat. Tinashe (2019)

R&B singer Tinashe has been in Kaytranada's orbit for many years, dating back to a sultry 2017 demo for a track titled "Piece of My Mind." They've since worked together on several songs, including her latest contribution on Timeless, but "The Worst in Me" off Bubba still stands as their best collaboration to date. Written in 30 minutes and recorded in one take, "The Worst in Me" proves Tinashe's proficiency and malleability across pop, R&B and dance. "This ain't how it's supposed to be," she sighs on the chorus, knowing that she's stuck in the cycle of a toxic relationship. But with its smooth delivery and lush production, it's easy to feel that intoxicating pull she's singing about. — ML

'Intimidated,' feat. H.E.R. (2021)

Kaytranada first teamed up with H.E.R. on the moody "Bloody Waters," off the latter's 2021 album, Back of My Mind. The two paired up again later that same year on Kaytranada's three-track EP, Intimidated. H.E.R.'s voice effortlessly floats atop rhythmic piano notes and handclaps on the title track, bringing that same soulfulness from their previous collaboration, but this time on Kaytranada's terms and dance floor. The result is a beautiful blend of what both artists do best, but particularly highlighting just how adept Kaytranada is at pairing R&B voices with grooving electronic production. — ML

'Weird,' feat. Durand Bernarr (2024)

Kaytranada frequently goes back to his tried-and-true collaborators like soul singer Durand Bernarr, who was featured on "Freefall" from Bubba. On "Weird" from the just released Timeless, Bernarr's acrobatic vocals have elements of Rick James's flair, and the entire song exists in the funk-soul continuum that is Kaytranada's go-to pocket. Even though it's a song is all about telling people off for their anti-social behaviour, the production inspires coming together and moving in unison. Bernarr's voice dances with the endless groove created by the pulsing electric bass and swinging kick drums. And two minutes in there's a pleasant surprise: Kaytranada rapping a quick eight bars. His vocals also appear later on the album, on "Stepped On." He told Rolling Stone that he's interested in making an entire album as the primary vocalist, so this is the perfect tease: "It's probably going to be a different moniker, but it's going to be Kaytranada production on my own vocals." — KA

'Hold On,' feat. Dawn Richard (2024)

When it comes to collaborators, Kaytranada doesn't look for the biggest names; instead he tries to link up with like-minded artists whose sound is a good fit with his productions. So it's a no-brainer that he called up Dawn Richard, another artist in the electronic space who is unafraid to experiment and push boundaries. On "Hold On," Kaytranada paints a sparkling soundscape for Richard's yearnful pleas, letting her vocal runs float off like stardust. A standout track on Timeless, "Hold On" will leave fans wanting more from Kaytranada and Richard, curious to see where else these two can push each other. — ML

'Witchy,' feat. Childish Gambino (2024)

A Childish Gambino and Kaytranada collab makes so much sense, it's a wonder it took this long for one to come to fruition. The two artists are known for their malleability and innovation, and it's exciting to hear them go toe-to-toe on a track. "Witchy" is a song for the lovers who like to get swept up in the magic of romance. The track has a light, airy bounce, and angelic cymbals crash over Childish Gambino's soaring falsetto as he sings about succumbing willingly to whatever spell his lover has him wrapped up in. Kaytranada has laid out a glittery pop production, but in the song's final moments the beat switches up and becomes dark and glitchy, turning the witchiness up a notch. — KA