Born Xavier Dotson, Jr., but known to the world as Zayskii, this rising Atlanta rapper is creating his own wave in the music industry. As the son of Grammy Award-winning producer Zaytoven, music has always been a part of his DNA. However, his foray into the business wasn’t immediate. At just four years-old, he first dabbled with the piano under the guidance of his grandmother, a choir director. Despite early musical exposure, Zayskii’s first love was sports.
From a young age, football consumed his time and attention. By age seven, he was fully committed to chasing his dream of a career in the NFL. His father encouraged him to explore music, but at the time his passion was on the field. It wasn’t until he his early teens that his interests shifted; he discovered basketball and developed a deep passion for the game, leaving football behind. While he toyed with music in his basement, recording raw vocals on Pro Tools, basketball remained his priority.
At 16, a turning point came when his family downsized into a small apartment while their new home was being constructed. With limited space and little else to do, Zayskii turned his attention back to music. He immersed himself in learning production, watching videos and experimenting with Auto-Tune. Once he mastered it, everything changed. He began sharing songs with friends who confirmed he had something special. Looking for a broader audience, he posted a track on TikTok and it gained instant traction. Encouraged by the response, he released it on streaming platforms and shot a video—marking the moment music became his primary focus.
As his buzz grew, Zayskii started networking with other TikTok artists, forming a key connection with rapper and producer Tana, who played a significant role in his development. By his junior year of high school, he had honed his sound. His father recognized his progression and together, they created an album that performed well on Apple Music, attracting industry attention. While still balancing basketball and music, he incorporated his sports background into his brand—his album cover featured him in space, holding a basketball with the iconic Jordan logo.
Like his famous dad, Zayskii is a self-taught pianist and has recently begun experimenting with production. As an artist, he seamlessly blends rapping and singing, crafting infectious melodies that are always memorable. Inspired by Gunna’s brilliant production and well-rounded artistry, Future’s star power and Playboi Carti’s captivating mystique, Zayskii is curating a unique style that resonates with his growing fanbase. Attending Rolling Loud in 2023 and watching Lil Uzi Vert’s electrifying set inspired him further, he saw firsthand the power of a commanding stage presence.
Zayskii’s music draws from a range of influences including PartyNextDoor and Bryson Tiller. Like them, he creates across multiple genres, fusing R&B and trap soul with nostalgic 2015-2016 vibes; music that is designed for cruising or setting a mood. His primary audience? The ladies. His viral moment came when he remixed a PartyNextDoor track and posted it at 1 a.m.—within a minute, it had 2,000 views, ultimately racking up 2.8 million views, 400,000 likes and 2,000 comments. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, he posted another video, which quickly hit a million views.
Despite industry engagement and label interest, Zayskii’s biggest challenge has been learning to tune out negativity and stay consistent. His confidence has grown and he’s unbothered by the doubters, often going live on TikTok to silence critics with his music. His songwriting process is entirely off the top; he never writes lyrics down. Instead, he loads up a beat, hums a melody, finds a flow and builds a song organically.
Recently signed to 300 Entertainment and working on his debut album, Zayskii is on the rise, blending raw talent, infectious energy and a magnetic personality. Always joking and laughing, his playful nature complements his serious work ethic. With each release, he solidifies his place in the game, which is proof that while music may not have been his first love, it was always his destiny.
INSTAGRAM @ZAYSKIIFT
COMING SOON
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