by Tamiko Hope
On January 12, 2020, Grammy-winning and multi-platinum producer Zaytoven was presented with a Proclamation from the City of Atlanta and the Mayor’s office for his musical and philanthropic contributions. The music icon, who has worked with Kanye West, Drake, Gucci Mane, the Migos and Nicki Minaj, launched the Zay Area Foundation in 2018 (www.zayarea.org) in an effort to support disadvantaged youth in the community who have an interest in the creative arts, particularly music. Since its inception, the foundation has held a Family Fun Day event in Lithonia over the Labor Day holiday, in addition to partnering with middle schools in the Atlanta area where they donate music equipment.
Earlier this year, Zaytoven and the foundation aligned with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where the Grammy-winning producer plays the keys for patients of the hospital, in addition to providing arts and crafts materials for the kids to do activities with him. After making a large donation to the hospital, he received a room that bears his name at the hospital in his honor.
Zaytoven is no stranger to giving back. He has been active not only the Atlanta community, but also in his former home of San Francisco where he donates his piano and organ skills to his former church once a year. He still plays the keys in church every Sunday on the east side of Atlanta, something he’s done for well over a decade.
