Xavier Lamar Dotson(born January 12, 1980), known professionally asZaytoven,is an American record producer fromAtlanta,Georgia.[1][2][3][non-primary source needed]He has released collaborative projects with artists includingGucci Mane,Usher,Future,Young Dolph,Migos,Lecrae,Lil Yachty,Chief Keef,Young Scooter,B.o.B,Boosie Badazz,Waka Flocka Flame,21 Savage,Deitrick Haddonand La Fève.[4]
Zaytoven | |
|---|---|
 Zaytoven in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Xavier Lamar Dotson |
| Born | January 12, 1980 Frankfurt,West Germany |
| Origin |
|
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | zaytovenbeatz |
Zaytoven signed a deal with rapper Gucci Mane to become1017 Brick Squad's in-house producer and then went on to win aGrammy Awardin 2011 for his contribution to Usher's albumRaymond v. Raymond,[5][6]as a co-producer and writer for the single "Papers"along withSean Garrett.[7][8]
Early life
editDotson spent a lot of time at church growing up, as his father was a preacher when not working for the army.[9]He learned to play instruments through the church bands along with his three younger siblings. He gravitated toward playing the piano and organ.[10]
Dotson was introduced to rap in middle school by a friend. He learned to produce music while attending high school in his spare time between school and basketball, Dotson played the keyboard during halftime at his high school football games. While he was performing one day at the game, he met rapperJT the Bigga Figgawho liked what he heard, and invited Dotson to his studio, where Dotson had unlimited access to his keyboards.[10]He truly began to utilize his skills as a producer while making beats in JT's studio before he started making a name for himself in Atlanta.
Career
editCareer beginnings
editZaytoven started going over toJT the Bigga Figga's studio every day to make beats and learn how to use the equipment. He began to sell beats to JT and went on to collaborate withBay Areaartists such asMessy MarvandE-40while still in high school.[9]During his senior year in high school, Zaytoven's family moved toAtlanta,Georgia,due to his father's retirement. Zaytoven decided to stay inSan Francisco,California,finish his senior year, and continue his producing for local rappers. He realized that he needed a studio of his own where he could produce with his own equipment and work at any time of the day.[11]
Having saved up money from his day job as a barber, Zaytoven began to buy equipment for producing. He would ship this to his parents' house in Atlanta, to which he eventually moved, and set up his own studio there.[11]He enrolled in a local barber college in Atlanta and got a job as a barber to help finance the rest of his studio. While attending barber school, a classmate of his introduced Zaytoven toGucci Mane,who would become his right-hand man in his career as a producer.[10]Zaytoven and Gucci Mane began to work together every day after meeting each other. Zaytoven said in an interview with Fader that Gucci Mane would call him at 7 a.m. asking if he was ready to start making music for that day.[10]Zaytoven and Gucci Mane spent the majority of the early 2000s making music together and selling mixtapes out of the trunks of their cars in Atlanta. It wasn't until 2005 that the two gained mainstream recognition from their hit song "Icy",with features fromYoung Jeezyand Boo.[9]This recognition gave Zaytoven's career the boost it needed to take off, landing the hit song "Papers"withUsherin 2010 on Usher's certified platinum albumRaymond v. Raymond.[12]
Rise to fame
editZaytoven's work on Usher's albumRaymond v. Raymondearned him aGrammy Awardin 2011 and a serious reputation in the hip-hop world. He started to work with more artists as his popularity grew in the Atlanta rap scene. He helped shaped the careers of artists such asOJ da Juiceman,Yung L.A.,Yung Ralph,Shop Boyz,Lil Scrappy,Jagged Edge,andGorilla Zoe.[12]
Zaytoven collaborated with hip hop trioMigos.He produced several tracks on their 2013 mixtape,Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas),including the hit track "Versace",which peaked at 53 on theBillboardchart.[9]Zaytoven's collaboration with Migos continued; he helped produce their followup mixtapeNo Label 2,released on February 25, 2014.[13]
In 2015, Zaytoven provided exclusive production for ten mixtapes, includingFuture'sBeast Mode,released on January 15. He also worked on Future's albumDS2,which debuted on July 17.[14]
In July 2016, Zaytoven produced or co-produced seven songs onGucci Mane's first album since being released from prison,Everybody Looking.[13]In the same month,Lil Uzi Vert'sThe Perfect LUV Tapewas released, containing the Zaytoven-produced songs "Money Mitch" and "SideLine Watching (Hold Up)".[13]In 2017, Zaytoven contributed to projects such as Gucci Mane'sMr. Davis,21 Savage'sIssa Album,Migos'Culture,Moneybagg Yo'sHeartless,andYo Gotti'sI Still Am.Zaytoven also released two independent projects,Wake Up & Cook UpandWhere Would the Game Be Without Me.[13]
Zaytoven was scheduled to release his debut albumTrap Holizayon May 25, 2018,[15]and a collaborative album withLecraetitledLet the Trap Say Amenon June 22, 2018.[16]
Acting career
editZaytoven made his acting debut in the 2012 filmBirds of a Feather,co-starring withGucci Mane.The sequelBirds of a Feather 2was released in 2018.
Tracklib
editIn 2018, Zaytoven joined the Creators Advisory Board ofTracklib.[17]
Discography
editCollaborative albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [18] |
US R&B/HH [19] |
NLD [20] | ||
| Let the Trap Say Amen (withLecrae) |
|
49 | 26 | — |
| A (withUsher) |
|
31 | 19 | 135 |
| Lost Tapes (withB.o.B)[21] |
|
— | — | — |
| Pray For Atlanta (with1K Phew)[22][23] |
|
— | — | — |
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Zaytoven Presents: Fo15[24] (with Fo15) |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| GucTiggy (withGucci Mane) |
|
| Greatest Gift (withDeitrick Haddon) |
|
| Drip & Zay (withKountry Wayne) |
|
| Only One |
|
| 24 the EP (with Damon Fletcher) |
|
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [18] |
US R&B/HH [19] |
CAN [28] |
FRA [29] |
NLD [29] |
UK [30] | ||
| World War 3 (Lean) (with Gucci Mane) |
|
— | 33 | — | — | — | — |
| Beast Mode (withFuture) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Juggathon (withYoung Scooter) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| For Trappers Only (withShy Glizzy) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trapping Made It Happen[31] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trapholizay |
|
78 | 43 | — | — | — | — |
| Beast Mode 2 (with Future) |
|
3 [32] |
3 | 13 | 130 | 49 | 55 |
| 6Toven (withFoolio)[33] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| GloToven (withChief Keef) |
|
153 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Camp GloTiggy (with Chief Keef)[34] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bad Azz Zay (withBoosie Badazz) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| A-Team (withLil Keed,Lil Gotit,andLil Yachty) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pack Just Landed Vol. 1[35] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pack Just Landed Vol. 2[36] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Zaystreet (with Young Scooter) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| GrinchToven Stole The Trap |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Moetoven[37] (with Moe) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pack Just Landed Vol. 3[38] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Keys To the Streets[39] (with Luh Soldier) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| GhostToven[40] (with Ghostluvme) |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Streetz Got No Heart[41] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Loverz n Friendz[42] |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — |
Other charted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B [43] | |||
| "Stay at Home" (withUsherfeaturingFuture) |
2018 | 22 | A |
Production discography
editCharted songs
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B/HH |
US Rap | |||
| "Icy" (Gucci ManefeaturingJeezyand Boo) |
2005 | —[A] | 46 | 23 | Trap House |
| "Pillz" (Gucci Mane featuring Mac Bre-Z) |
2006 | — | —[B] | — | Hard to Kill,No Pad, No Pencil |
| "I'm a Dog" (Gucci Mane featuring DG Yola) |
2008 | — | —[C] | — | Chicken Talk 2,Bird Money,The State vs. Radric Davis |
| "Bricks" (Gucci Mane featuringYo Gottiand Yung Ralph orOJ da Juiceman) |
— | —[D] | — | EA Sportscenter,The State vs. Radric Davis | |
| "Make tha Trap Say Aye" (OJ da Juiceman featuring Gucci Mane) |
—[E] | 22 | 13 | The Otha Side of the Trap | |
| "I Don't Love Her" (Gucci Mane featuringRockoandWebbie) |
2011 | — | —[F] | — | The Return of Mr. Zone 6 |
| "Versace" (Migos) |
2013 | 99 | 31 | 23 | Y.R.N. (Young Rich Niggas) |
| "3500" (Travis ScottfeaturingFutureand2 Chainz) |
2015 | 82 | 25 | 18 | Rodeo |
| "Guwop Home" (Gucci Mane featuringYoung Thug) |
2016 | —[G] | —[H] | — | Everybody Looking |
| "No Sleep (Intro)" (Gucci Mane) |
— | —[I] | — | ||
| "Waybach" (Gucci Mane) |
— | —[J] | — | ||
| "Too Much Sauce" (DJ Escofeaturing Future andLil Uzi Vert) |
50 | 21 | 15 | Project E.T. | |
| "Used to This" (Future featuringDrake) |
14 | 5 | 4 | Future | |
| "St. Brick Intro" (Gucci Mane) |
—[K] | —[L] | — | The Return of East Atlanta Santa | |
| "What the Price" (Migos) |
2017 | —[M] | 41 | — | Culture |
| "Get Right Witcha" (Migos) |
72 | 29 | 19 | ||
| "Big on Big" (Migos) |
—[N] | 47 | — | ||
| "Brown Paper Bag" (Migos) |
—[O] | 40 | — | ||
| "When I Was Broke" (Future) |
—[P] | —[Q] | — | Future | |
| "Feds Did a Sweep" (Future) |
— | —[R] | — | ||
| "Famous" (21 Savage) |
94 | 41 | — | Issa Album | |
| "Nothin New" (21 Savage) |
—[S] | —[T] | — | ||
| "Wifi Lit" (Future) |
2018 | 53 | 26 | 23 | Beast Mode 2 |
| "31 Days" (Future) |
64 | 34 | — | ||
| "Cuddle My Wrist" (Future) |
70 | 38 | — | ||
| "Racks Blue" (Future) |
76 | 42 | — | ||
| "Red Light" (Future) |
—[U] | —[V] | — | ||
| "Some More" (Future) |
—[W] | —[X] | — | ||
| "Doh Doh" (Future featuringYoung Scooter) |
—[Y] | —[Z] | — | ||
| "When I Think About It" (Future) |
—[AA] | —[AB] | — | ||
| "Hate the Real Me" (Future) |
—[AC] | — | — | ||
| "Problems" (Lil Wayne) |
57 | 33 | — | Tha Carter V | |
| "Moana" (G-EazyandJack Harlow) |
2020 | —[AD] | — | — | Non-album single |
| "RIP Luv" (21 Savage andMetro Boomin) |
76 | 32 | — | Savage Mode II | |
| "Real Baby Pluto" (Future and Lil Uzi Vert) |
54 | 17 | 16 | Pluto × Baby Pluto | |
| "Million Dollar Play" (Future and Lil Uzi Vert) |
67 | 25 | 23 | ||
| "Roadrunner" (Migos) |
2021 | —[AE] | — | — | Culture III |
| "Better Believe" (Belly,The Weeknd,and Young Thug) |
88 | 31 | 25 | See You Next Wednesday | |
Notes
- ^"Icy" did not enter the"Billboard" Hot 100,but peaked at number five on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[44]
- ^"Pillz" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number three on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"I'm a Dog" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number eight on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"Bricks" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number 19 on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"Make tha Trap Say Aye" did not enter the"Billboard" Hot 100,but peaked at number eight on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[46]
- ^"I Don't Love Her" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number two on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"Guwop Home" did not enter the"Billboard" Hot 100,but peaked at number 23 on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[44]
- ^"Guwop Home" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number one on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"No Sleep (Intro)" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number four on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"Waybach" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number eight on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"St. Brick Intro" did not enter the"Billboard" Hot 100,but peaked at number seven on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[44]
- ^"St. Brick Intro" did not enter theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, but peaked at number two on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[45]
- ^"What the Price" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number two on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[47]
- ^"Big on Big" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number eight on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[47]
- ^"Brown Paper Bag" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number one on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[47]
- ^"When I Was Broke" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number 22 on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"When I Was Broke" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"Feds Did a Sweep" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number seven on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"Nothin New" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number nine on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[50]
- ^"Nothin New" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[51]
- ^"Red Light" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number six on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"Red Light" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number three on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"Some More" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number seven on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"Some More" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number four on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"Doh Doh" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number eleven on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"Doh Doh" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"When I Think About It" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number fifteen on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"When I Think About It" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number seven on theBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singleschart.[49]
- ^"Hate the Real Me" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number 24 on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[48]
- ^"Moana" did not chart on theBillboardHot 100, but did peak at number 23 on theBubbling Under Hot 100chart.
- ^"Roadrunner" did not enter theBillboardHot 100, but peaked at number sixteen on theBubbling Under Hot 100 Singleschart.[47]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Birds of a Feather[52] | Himself |
| 2013 | Weed Man[53] | |
| 2018 | Birds of a Feather 2[54] |
References
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