"I don’t even know how to spell the names properly..."
Global producer and DJ Kaytranada has opened up about his long-standing connection to Indian music, which is deeply rooted in Bollywood’s golden cinematic era of the 1970s and 1980s.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Kaytranada revealed that his earliest exposure to Indian sound came through classic Hindi cinema and its unforgettable soundtracks.
He cited legendary composers and singers, including Bappi Lahiri, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle as lasting influences on his personal listening habits.
“When it’s a city where I love the music, and I embrace the culture, like India, I’ll go out,” he said, reflecting on his excitement about performing there.
Kaytranada’s recent performance in Mumbai was significant on multiple fronts, marking his first-ever show in India and the launch night of Logout, District’s new cultural initiative.
Conceived as a “third space”, Logout aims to move audiences away from algorithm-driven nightlife towards experiences centred on presence, connection and shared cultural energy.
That philosophy aligned naturally with Kaytranada’s own outlook, where music is meant to be absorbed deeply rather than constantly broadcast or performed for attention.
He was clear that India was never a sudden fascination, describing it as a country he had always wanted to visit long before this milestone show.
While impressed by Mumbai’s energy, Kaytranada expressed hopes to explore other Indian cities and experience their distinct musical and cultural landscapes.
His emotional connection to India, however, was formed long before travel, shaped primarily through cinema, album artwork and vintage Bollywood sound.
“In general, Indian music for me is mostly Bollywood, ’70s and ’80s,” he explained, referencing the era that continues to inspire his creative world.
Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle remain constant presences in his listening, even if he admits to occasionally struggling with spelling their names.
“Sometimes I don’t even know how to spell the names properly,” he laughed, adding that seeing Mangeshkar’s name guaranteed a quality record.
When asked about potential collaborations with Indian artists, Kaytranada responded with refreshing honesty and a lack of industry pretence.
“It’s really about who’s willing to collaborate with me,” he said, emphasising organic creative chemistry over trend-led or strategic partnerships.
That openness recently shaped studio sessions with SZA, where India unexpectedly resurfaced during conversations between the two artists.
“She was talking about a school she went to here,” he recalled, highlighting how India continues to reappear as a recurring rhythm in his life.
Born Louis Kevin Celestin, Kaytranada began gaining wider recognition in 2013 under his moniker, quickly building momentum within global electronic and hip hop scenes.
In 2014, he signed with XL Recordings and released his critically acclaimed debut studio album 99.9% in 2016.
His follow-up album, Bubba, released in 2019, earned him two Grammy Awards, including Best Dance and Electronic Album.
Celestin is also one half of hip hop duo The Celestics, alongside his brother Lou Phelps, further showcasing his versatility across genres.
On August 11, 2025, Celestin announced his fourth studio album, Ain’t No Damn Way!, which released on August 15, 2025.
The following day, he released the lead single ‘Space Invader,’ which samples Latrelle featuring Kelis’ track ‘My Life’.
For Kaytranada, India now exists not just as an influence but as a lived experience, finally matching a rhythm he has carried for years.
Loading ...