Atlanta producer Zaytoven turning trap music into classical for Tabernacle show
In October 2024, Atlanta-based producer Xavier “Zaytoven” Dotson was invited by frequent collaborator rapper Gucci Mane to play piano at his concert with Atlanta Pops Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
He noticed the audience dressed in evening wear, dancing in the aisles, and rapping along to orchestral arrangements replacing beats he crafted for Gucci on tracks like “So Icy,” “Bricks” and “I’m a Dog.”
Zaytoven got inspired to step from behind the mixing board and on to the main stage. “I told myself I should be able to do my own show,” he told UATL.
A year later, Zaytoven — whose playful keyboard melodies and syncopated drum patterns turned into bangers for Southern hip-hop acts Migos, OJ da Juiceman, Young Dolph and singer Usher — is hosting “Zaytoven and Friends” at The Tabernacle on Dec. 20. The show gives the prolific trap music architect’s catalog a classical makeover courtesy of the Renaissance Orchestra, an Atlanta-based 22-piece ensemble.
There will be special guest performances, video presentations and a tribute to Zaytoven’s collaborators who have died. He said he hopes to re-create similar energy as Atlanta Symphony Hall.
“I want the show to feel like you’re at a party with live music. I want everybody to come dressed up and have everything looking elegant but with a turn-up vibe,” Zaytoven said.
“While I’m making the beats, I hear them this way. Now, it’s coming together.”
At rehearsals, Zaytoven and the musicians use the divide-and-conquer approach to re-create music. The string section plays from memory, writing on blank sheet music via their iPads. The horn players record their parts live on their iPhones.
Zaytoven sits quietly behind his red Nord Stage Four keyboard, plays scales and speaks only when it comes to tempo.
Tyrone “O.G.” Bowie, the Renaissance Orchestra’s founder and director, said the producer was open to their input.
“He’s a musician, so we speak the same language. He gave us the freedom to arrange how we wanted to. Usually when hip-hop artists do orchestra shows, they’ll often play along with tracks, but we pride ourselves on making the music a special experience,” Bowie said.
Zaytoven typically makes tracks in 10-15 minutes, but he spends 30 minutes with the orchestra to complete one song. He said collaborating with hip-hop artists or musicians is about being transparent and having open communication.
“When you’re working with a rapper, you’re telling them what you feel, what and how they need to say it. With an orchestra, if the music doesn’t sound or feel a certain type of way, then I express my own unique way of how I hear things,” Zaytoven said.
“It wasn’t really hard putting this together, because the music is the blueprint. You hear strings, horns, pianos, guitars and every instrument out there. We collaborated on where we wanted to do certain breaks and chord changes, but we’re still playing loops I made.”
Zaytoven is preparing younger talent for the stage. In October, he executive produced and released “XMAN,” a joint album with his son, Zayskii. He’s performing at the Tabernacle show.
He said his son’s interest in music came from shadowing dad during studio sessions with rappers.
“It was something I was making him do, but he just naturally started falling in love with music,” he said.
“He brings a newness to me, been my ears to the street for the last 10 years, putting me onto who I need to be working with and what type of beats I need to be making.”
Zaytoven recently starred in “The Trap Father,” a semi-autobiographical independent film trilogy. He said acting makes him visible to fans of his music.
“I’m naturally a laid back, reserved person, but for me to maintain, grow and get bigger in this music industry I have to come out of my shell and do things I wouldn’t normally do,” he said.
Zaytoven isn’t sure how he will experiment next. He appreciates still being in demand to produce and create.
“I’ve done more than what I even set out to do, so I’m just taking it all in. It’s a blessing to still be relevant in the music game,” he said.
“If I keep working and following my heart, God always sends me the light.”
IF YOU GO
Zaytoven and Friends with The Renaissance Orchestra
8 p.m. Dec. 20. $64-$1,406. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta. tabernacleatl.com
About the Author
Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an Atlanta-based, award-winning journalist, cultural critic and ethnomusicologist. He previously taught courses at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University.
