Released: 22/09/23 (delayed from 23/06/23)
It may have taken nearly a decade to complete, but holy-moly is the debut from the US rapper Aminé and the Haitian-Canadian producer Kaytranada (AKA Kaytraminé) worth the wait. One of the finest hip-hop records of the last five years, the brilliancy of Kaytraminé is to be found partly in how it simultaneously feels ultra laidback, yet thrillingly propulsive; the result no doubt of Aminé's effortless, conversational flow (redolent of Kendrick Lamar) in counterpoint to Kaytranada's sublime and subtly trap-y production, where subs and pads nestle up against live instrumentation and bravura beats, and which is at once crisp and analogue-warm. And then there are the guest vocalists: Freddie Gibbs, Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Amaarae and Snoop Dogg, all bringing their A-game, and obviously having the time of their lives. So, yes, it took 10 years or so to complete, but, you know, making a classic work of art takes time, just ask James Joyce.