Hot Producers Week 41 2026 - Zaytoven
Zaytoven
Zaytoven is an Atlanta-based record producer, DJ, and keyboardist widely recognized as a primary pioneer and godfather of modern trap music.
Born on a U.S. Army base in Frankfurt, West Germany, Zaytoven moved frequently as a "military brat" before his family settled down in San Francisco during his teenage years.
His father was a preacher and his mother was a choir director. Because of this, his entire childhood revolved around faith and church bands. He initially started out playing the drums at 8 years old, but because every boy in the church wanted to play them, he grew tired of waiting for his turn and taught himself how to play the organ and piano.
While attending high school, he fell in love with rap music and began learning to produce. Because of his rare skill set, he actually played the live keyboard during halftime at his high school football games. It was during one of these halftime performances that Bay Area rap veteran JT the Bigga Figga heard him play, immediately invited him to his studio, and gave him unlimited access to professional equipment to hone his beat-making crafts.
Zaytoven has worked heavily with Gucci Mane producing many of Gucci's classic hits as well as being responsible for launching Migos into global superstardom by producing their massive 2013 breakout single "Versace". He also acts as a primary musical anchor for Future (most notably fully producing the iconic Beast Mode mixtape series). He has also worked closely with Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Dolph, 21 Savage, and Chief Keef.
Zaytoven won a Grammy Award for his exceptional contribution to R&B legend Usher's multi-platinum 2010 album Raymond v. Raymond. He co-wrote and produced the album's hit single "Papers", which dominated the Billboard charts.