Atlanta, GA
Sean Garrett, Zaytoven, ATL Jacob celebrated with Black Music Month in Atlanta
Music producers are often called the architects of sound. They build harmonies, arrange vocals, and bend instrumentation and beats in a way that elicits emotion and transforms the tracks we hear today. Without them, our feet wouldn’t tap, our heads wouldn’t bob, and our waists wouldn’t whine. In Atlanta, where Black music thrives, the most impactful producers have been born, bred, and celebrated.
Black Music Month in June celebrates the cultural contributions of Black musicians in every genre, from rock and pop to blues and hip-hop. Atlanta-born and based producers Sean Garrett, Zaytoven, and ATL Jacob were honored in Atlanta with a dinner celebrating their contributions to the music industry.
The table was set, with a family-style dinner menu and dim lighting at the Asian-fusion restaurant LoKee. Jacob Canady, known as ATL Jacob, was the first to arrive at the honoree dinner in June. Canady has been called the leader of the next generation and is known for his Grammy-nominated work with Atlanta rapper Future, most notably the song “Wait for U.” Jacob told The Atlanta Voice that culture is key to preserving elements of hip-hop while elevating it.
“Everything starts from the culture and goes into the music. It might be the people, the places you go,” Canady said.
Xavier Dotson, known professionally as Zaytoven, has been pivotal to the sounds of modern hip-hop, ushering in an era where Gucci Mane’s “Icy” Migos’ “Versace,”, and Future’s “Beast Mode” mixtape have become the blueprint of Atlanta trap.
Canady was later joined by Grammy-nominated and veteran producer Garrett Hamler, known professionally as Sean Garrett. Dubbed “the pen,” Garrett is a songwriting and producing wizard, with over 50 number-one records and 100 million copies sold globally, shaping the sounds of genres like crunk music and artists such as Beyoncé, Ciara, Usher, and Chris Brown, to name a few.
Together, the three of them paint a historic picture of R&B and hip-hop music throughout the years, showcasing how the creativity of producers keeps the soul of music fresh and alive.
“I want to be remembered for my innovation. Like, ‘Oh yeah, he always had an open mind, he was innovative, he did different stuff with different genres and tried new things,” Canady said.
Related
A metro Atlanta man is helping his fellow food and beverage workers struggling with addiction and alcoholism by holding weekly meetings that foster support.
“I’ve been cooking for 11 years. I started when I was a teenager. I’ve been with the company ever since,” said Jonah Jacobson, a sous chef at Pricci in Buckhead.
Jacobson said he began to experience repercussions while in active addiction five years ago.
“Things got bad enough to the point where I was fired from my first job,” he said.
Jacobson said once he started using alcohol and drugs, he could not stop.
“Where everybody else would call it a night after 1, 2 and go home like a normal person, I realized I did not have that luxury. I was not like everybody else,” said Jacobson.’
He helps lead the local chapter of Ben’s Friends, a national organization that organizes meetings for people struggling with addiction and alcoholism.
“We would always talk about another restaurant person who was either destroying their lives or, unfortunately, had just taken their lives due to alcohol and drugs. At one point, we just said enough is enough,” said Ben’s Friends co-founder Mickey Bakst.
Bakst has been sober for 43 years. He said the food and beverage industry fosters an environment in which alcohol and drugs are common and makes it easy for workers to fall into active addiction.
Adam Mauk with Edge Treatment Center in Roswell said programs like Ben’s Friends are often more successful after a person completes an initial inpatient or outpatient treatment plan. But he said people often reason they cannot afford to take the time off from work to complete initial treatment.
“It’s been proven time and time again that if you put anything ahead of your sobriety or ahead of trying to get clean or sober, then you’re going to lose that too,” said Mauk.
Jacobson has now been sober for five years.
“It (recovery) gave me a new outlook on life and gave me a sense of belonging that I was looking for, partially in a kitchen, partially outside of my life,” said Jacobson.
Ben’s Friends has more than 40 chapters across the country, offering free peer support to people working in the food and beverage industry.
Jacobson encourages anyone to attend a meeting on Mondays at 11 a.m. at Pricci, located on Pharr Road.
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA – JUNE 19: Radio personality Big Tigger speaks onstage during Juneteenth At The Bridge With Common at VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge on June 19, 2026 in Stockbridge, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – Atlanta radio host Big Tigger is stepping away from the microphone to focus on his family following his arrest on domestic violence charges, according to his Instagram.
Public statement defense
What we know:
Darian Morgan, known professionally as Big Tigger, released a statement confirming his decision to step away from his show to give his legal team room to work.
The full statement is below:
“For as long as I’ve been in this industry, my focus has always been to keep the spotlight on the culture and the incredible people I get to interview. But right now, my personal life is in the public eye and has become the subject of overwhelming speculation and misinformation. Through all of this, what hurts the most is being away from my son. Nothing is more important to me than being a great father. So I’ve decided to step away from the mic for a while to focus on my family and give my legal team the room they need. As I previously said, I unequivocally deny every allegation, and I am looking forward to clearing my name. Thank you so much all for the love and support.”
Sandy Springs arrest
The backstory:
It comes after Sandy Springs police arrested Morgan on charges of aggravated battery, battery and third-degree cruelty to children.
According to an arrest affidavit, Morgan’s wife, Alicia Brown, told investigators that he shoved her into an office door during an argument at their home in May.
The impact caused a deep cut above her left eye that required medical stitches.
Police stated that the couple’s 13-year-old son was upstairs during the physical altercation and heard the incident.
Brown was later granted a temporary protective order that legally requires Morgan to stay away from her, their home and their children.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how long Morgan will remain away from his broadcasting duties or if his employer plans to take further disciplinary action.
Related coverage
The Source: Information in this article comes from an Instagram post made by Big Tigger and prior FOX 5 reporting.
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