ABOUT

“A Soul Poet, Bringing The Good Vibes”

What exactly is a Soul Poet? One who uses various forms of communication -both verbal and non-verbal- to create an aesthetic experience. It’s that poet at the open mic, or the DJ at the club, or the live band at the lounge. It is that artist who creates a mood and a vibe for all seeking a spiritual renewal.

The ZYG 808 (pronounced 'Zee Why Gee' Eight-0h-Eight)  is a Grammy nominated Soul Poet music maker (musician, composer, producer, vocalist, DJ), and recording artist of Indie Groove, Alternative Pop &, Rare Groove/Funk, Afrobeats, and Hip-Hop.  A leading figure in the Thump & Soul music movement; he is definitely doing his part to bring the good vibes to the people.

A recording artist and staff producer for Poly-Groove Records, and engineer for Polyphonic Studios; as well as holding it down as a regularly performing DJ and MC as well as the drummer and vocalist for the Grammy- nominated soul-funk jam band, The GroovaLottos; as well as his post as a staff producer and recording artist with Poly-Groove Records and engineer with Polyphonic Studios. The ZYG 808 is also the host of the weekly, streaming dance party and mix show, The Thump & Soul Clap 7 PM every Saturday on Twitch.tv/thezyg808 and Sundays at midnight on 92.1 WOMR and 91.3 WFMR.

“No matter if it’s the mic, the turn tables or behind a drum kit/ The ZYG 808’s all about keeping the room lit.”

“Music is how I connect with people. Melodies, grooves, beats, and stories play in my head all of the time. Other people continue to make incredible music. I feel a need to share it all, bring the good vibes, and get folks dancing and feeling right.” - The ZYG 808

Along with rocking the mic and drums at shows, or mixing and spinning bangers at parties; The ZYG 808 is a staff producer for Polyphonic Studios, working with e.d.m., Afrobeats, rock, folk, and hip-hop artists.

An Evolution

ARTIST | MUSICIAN | Producer:

The ZYG 808 began playing drums at age 4 after receiving a drum set as a Christmas gift from his grandmother. By age 7 he was adding percussion tracks to the award-winning House Music album, “DEEP Soul Chants & Hollers”. By age 11, he was headlining the Boston Jazz Fest. Adding the vibraphone to his repertoire, he began writing music and rapping.

During the summer of 2017, the “808” legend was born when ZYG began street performing on Cape Cod and in Boston, playing a cocktail drum kit and rapping at the same time; when an audience member declared, “That kid’s the real 808!”. (808 being a reference to the classic hip-hop drum machine, the Roland 808. ). In late 2017 he -along with Young $umo and JJNice- created the anti-opioid anthem and music video "FLIPPIN". In the same year, he joined the Universal Zulu Nation.

In summer 2018, while busking he also sold download cards for his homemade mixtape “At The Party” and ended up getting 2 Grammy nominations when a Recording Academy member bought a card.

In 2019 he co-produced his album BoOMBAPJAZz at age 16, which featured his prowess on vibraphones, drums and the microphone.