Tay Keith, Grammy-Nominated Producer, Dead at 29

Acclaimed Memphis producer Tay Keith has been found dead in his apartment, Metro Nashville Police tell local news station WSMV. He was 29 years old. Police say they found his body while conducting a welfare check, and that no foul play is suspected. At press time, his cause of death has not been revealed. 

Before police confirmed the news, Tay Keith’s longtime collaborator, BlocBoy JB, uploaded posts that appeared to allude to the producer’s passing. In the overlaid text for a photo of him and Tay Keith, BlocBoy wrote, “Damn Cuz You Just Hurt Me Bad.” For his part, producer ATL Jacob used his X account to upload a Rest in Peace post. 

At the time of his passing, Tay Keith, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, had already become a defining producer of his era, with his brand of pummeling 808s becoming sonic through lines for a generation of raucous trap music. After forming a bond with BlocBoy, the two propelled themselves to national stardom with Tay Keith-produced songs like “Shoot” and the 2018 Drake-assisted “Look Alive.” 

Since then, Tay Keith, who also ran his record label, Drumatized, has produced for the likes of Eminem, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Sexyy Red, and many more. 

Okayplayer sends condolences to Tay Keith’s family and friends. 

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