Afghanistan 
New Signing: Zaytoven
7 years ago
Zaytoven has established himself as an GRAMMY Award-winning record producer, keyboardist, and songwriter with a distinct influence on trap and Southern hip hop, shaping the sound for numerous major artists.
UIMP agreed to a co-publishing agreement with Zaytoven to develop new work and acquired his existing music catalog. He will continue to collaborate with the company in Los Angeles and be assisted in strengthening his collaborations.
Zaytoven signed a partnership deal with Motown Records, which includes a venture with his own company, Familiar Territory Records. This move positioned him alongside artists like Lil Yachty, Migos, and BJ the Chicago Kid.
Zaytoven's own company, Familiar Territory Records, is part of his partnership venture with Motown Records, bringing his current label into the larger Motown structure.
Music producer Zaytoven, along with music executive Big Trill, launched their own music label, ZTP.
Splice featured Grammy Award-winning producer Zaytoven's studio in an 'MTV Cribs style' walkthrough, highlighting his music and strategic brand partnerships.
Together with Zaytoven and Zay Area Foundation, Audiomack supported the delivery of the first Keys + Kids Piano Grant in Atlanta, GA, to Benjamin E. Mays High School.
Zaytoven joined the Creators Advisory Board of Tracklib in 2018.
Xavier Lamar Dotson, known professionally as Zaytoven, was born on January 12, 1983, in Frankfurt, West Germany. His early life was significantly shaped by his church background, where his father served as a preacher and his mother as a choir director. This environment provided him with early exposure to music, teaching him to play the piano and organ. He further developed his musical skills by playing keyboards at high school football games, where he met rapper JT the Bigga Figga, who provided him access to a studio. This foundational experience in both gospel music and early hip-hop production would later define his unique sound.
Zaytoven’s career began to solidify after his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, he remained in San Francisco to pursue music production, collaborating with West Coast artists like Messy Marv and E-40. Upon moving to Atlanta, he used his earnings from working as a barber to set up his own studio. A pivotal meeting through a barber school classmate introduced him to Gucci Mane. Their collaboration in the early 2000s, which involved selling mixtapes from their car trunks, led to mainstream recognition with the 2005 single “Icy.” This track, featuring Young Jeezy and Boo, marked a significant turning point in his career.
The success of “Icy” propelled Zaytoven into wider recognition, leading to a collaboration with Usher on the 2009 single “Papers,” which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. His work on Usher’s “Raymond v. Raymond” album earned him a Grammy Award in 2011, solidifying his reputation within the hip-hop community. He continued to produce for prominent artists such as Future, Migos, and 21 Savage, contributing to multiple chart-topping albums and mixtapes. Beyond production, Zaytoven has also ventured into acting, appearing in films like “Birds of a Feather,” and has explored Christian hip-hop, reflecting his diverse musical range and personal values. He remains a significant figure in the music industry, known for his consistent sound and influential mentorship.
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