The ZYG 808 at the FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL at Interwoven Artist Studio

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL brings a powerful celebration of culture, community, and storytelling to Interwoven Artist Studio in New Bedford. This acoustic music showcase, centers the rich traditions and evolving voices of American roots music, featuring performances by Katie Castagno (Contemporary New England Folk), Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor (Soul & Blues), and closing with the genre-blending energy of The ZYG 808, bringing his signature fusion of Rock-Hop and Afrobeat to the stage.

With a reputation for deeply musical, high-impact live performances, The ZYG 808 is known for defying genre expectations. For the FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL, he brings an acoustic twist to his set—melding rhythm, poetry, and live drumming into a raw and resonant performance that reflects the soul of his music.

"I’m really excited to be part of the FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL," said The ZYG 808, who has been performing in festivals since 2017. "A lot of roots festivals treat artists like me as if we’re just here to add a little flavor, not because we are part of the narrative. This festival is about artists claiming space, telling our own stories, and showing that we’ve always been at the heart of American music."

Raised in a family of musicians, The ZYG 808 began drumming at age 4 and was headlining the Boston Jazz Fest by 11. By 13, he was performing before crowds of 48,000 with The GroovaLottos at the Gathering of Nations Powwow. He soon added rapping to his skill set, developing a style that combines live percussion with hip-hop lyricism. Early in his career, he made his mark performing solo on street corners and in public parks, using a cocktail drum kit and a mic to turn sidewalks into stages.

After earning two Grammy nominations for his debut CD BOOM BAP JAZZ, The ZYG 808 has continued to build his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist. He recently completed a BFA in Socially Engaged Arts at Goddard College and now works as a producer and engineer at Polyphonic Studios in Wareham, MA. He also serves as a teaching artist, working with youth across eastern Massachusetts through schools and the Oversoul Theatre Collective, one of the festival's presenters.

Raeha Ramos, Executive Director of Oversoul Theatre Collective, shared her excitement about the festival and its closing act:
"The FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL is all about shifting the focus—centering the artists and traditions that are too often pushed to the margins in folk and roots spaces. ZYG 808 brings that energy. His performances are powerful and full of intention. He shows us what it means to honor the roots while creating something completely new."

The FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL is presented by Oversoul Theatre Collective and Interwoven Art Space, and supported in part by the Osborne Trust Fellowship, Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, Mass Cultural Council, MassDevelopment TDI, New Bedford Creative, Polyphonic Studios, and WNB One Radio.

FORGOTTEN ROOTS FESTIVAL
 Saturday, July 19, 2025
 Interwoven Artist Studio – 634 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA
 Doors open at 5:00 PM | Performances begin at 5:30 PM | The ZYG 808 at 7:30 PM
 Admission is free | All ages welcome