Zaytoven has made his mark as one of the top producers in hip-hop. He has produced hits for Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy and Usher, among others
The Atlanta-based producer is now branching out and starring in the new film, Finesse. He recently sat down with rolling out to discuss the new film and his approach to trap music and gospel.
What inspired you to get into film?
I would say my first movie Birds of a Feather is what really gave me the confidence to want to do another movie. I did the movie to expand my brand. People hear my name, but a lot of people didn’t know what I looked like. After Birds of a Feather, I got my recognition. We decided to do another one and that’s how I came up with the movie Finesse.
What can audiences expect from the new film?
When I do a movie, I want to be able to educate as well as entertain. The movie is about selling a dream. That happens a lot in the music industry. In the movie, my boss is a con artist. He’s doing bad business. So that’s how he makes his money. He ends up getting locked up, so I take over his business and do what he’s been doing to make some money. But a lot happens after my character decides to use his boss’ identity.
Going back to the music. You have made a name for yourself by helping to build the foundation of trap music. But you also play instruments in the church. How do you balance both aspects of music?
I’m a church organist, so I’m at church three days out of the week. I believe the reason I’m in the music industry is to set an example or help somebody else see a different way of life. That’s why I feel like God put me in this type of music. Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to listen to rap music. All I would listen to was gospel music. So as soon as my folks heard me listening to something with some cussing in it, they were like “have you lost your mind?” But now I’m put in the position to work with the grimiest people you come across. I think it’s all for a purpose. So I take it as that.
