#UNDRGRNDMagazine #Zaytoven #atlanta #atl
Andrew Mason & Michael Pofsky from UNDRGRND Magazine sit down for an exclusive interview with Zaytoven. Video filmed inside Patchwerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Filmed by Gavin Banksy.
Excerpt from UNDRGRND Issue 11 (feat. Zaytoven):
Written by Andrew Mason & Michael Pofsky
It took us ‘til our 11th issue, but the UNDRGRND Magazine team finally made the trip to Atlanta, Georgia! Our group of eight headed south in late May 2024 to meet and interview Grammy-award winning producer, Zaytoven. Known best for his work with Gucci Mane, Future, Chief Keef, Migos, Usher, Young Dolph, Lil Uzi Vert, and many other mainstream acts, Zaytoven is the most notable producer to rise from the Atlanta hip-hop scene this century.
We met with Zaytoven on a Saturday afternoon inside of one of the most iconic music hubs of the American South - Patchwerk Recording Studios. The same 10,000 square foot luxury facility that Zaytoven and Gucci Mane recorded their first major hit-single together over 15 years ago (“Icy”).
“My whole career I’ve been coming to this studio,” Zaytoven says. “When I got guests coming from out of town, I always say, ‘We gotta book Patchwerk!’ I’m one of those guys that once I find a method that works, I’mma keep rollin’ with that.”
Oddly enough, Zaytoven was born in Germany, but moved to the Bay Area early on due to his father’s involvement in the army. It was up in NorCal where Zaytoven began cutting hair and stacking bread. It was also around this time when Zaytoven met Gucci Mane, a link up that would change the trajectory of hip-hop forever.
Following their release of “Icy” in 2008, the duo turned over countless top records throughout the next half-decade, including “Bricks” (2008) and “Truth” (2012). The two still work closely, a relationship that has helped pave the sound for trap music to this day.
“Me and Gucci used to come [to Patchwerk] and book it out for three, four days,” says Zaytoven. “Me and Gucci are two different people - we’re apples and oranges. The way he moves and the way I move is different, but there was a respect level there. And with that, we grew a good relationship.”
At the same time he was gaining significant traction with Gucci, Zaytoven was working with other top talent. He won a Grammy in 2011 for co-production and writing credits on Usher’s Raymond vs. Raymond album. He soon landed other major placements like “Versace” with Migos and Drake, “Beast Mode” by Future, and “3500” by Travis Scott.
The “Zaytoven” tag became an absolute staple in rap by the mid-2010s. Zaytoven’s ability to adapt to the new talent emerging on the scene has helped keep his sound relevant. By the later half of the decade and into the 2020s, Zaytoven’s resume boasted work with Lil Yachty, Lil Keed, Key Glock, 21 Savage, Lil Pump, Rae Sremmurd, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Jack Harlow - you get the point.
Zaytoven tells UNDRGRND Magazine that he believes Atlanta is still the best city for rap in 2024, a position that some argue may be threatened by cities like Detroit, New York, or Houston in the coming years.
“Atlanta’s still at the top of the food chain,” he says. “Atlanta’s just prone to have the next big thing, all the time. And to me, Future is the biggest in it - he’s the top dog when it comes to rap.”
Zaytoven shares that as he gets older, his life has become more family-centric. He enjoys hitting the gym, taking his daughter to volleyball practice, and spending time with his wife, Stephanie. He even credits his son and daughter for helping keep his hip-hop knowledge and taste up to date.
“I worked with Lil Uzi because of my son,” Zaytoven says. “I seen him at the mall, and was like, ‘You the guy my son be telling me I need to work with.’ Took a picture with Lil Uzi then went to the studio that same night and made ‘SideLine Watching (Hold Up).’”
It was noticeable how excited Zaytoven was while recalling his favorite memories to us. Sitting inside Patchwerk with the most notable musician ever featured on our magazine, Zaytoven’s energy towards his craft added up with the plaques on the wall. He says he has “multiple” projects set to drop by the end of the year.
“Music has always been fun for me,” Zaytoven says. “I still treat music like a hobby - I don’t treat it like a job. I do it for fun.”
Follow Zaytoven on Instagram @zaytovenbeatz. Photos taken by @noahcudal_.
Check out the all-new Zaytoven x UNDRGRND Magazine online for free at undrgrndmag.com/magazines. Hard copy versions are available for $20 order (FREE SHIPPING) at undrgrndmag.com/store.
2 июл 2024
