Tay Keith, the Tennessee producer responsible for some of rap's biggest hits of the past decade, has died at the age of 29, according to reports.
Born Brytavious Chambers, the producer was found dead in his Nashville apartment on Thursday (June 18), according to WSMV. Police said Keith's body was found during a welfare check and that they do not suspect foul play.
Attached to many Billboard Hot 100 hits, Tay Keith worked on tracks like Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode," Drake’s "Nonstop," Eminem's "Not Alike," and BlocBoyJ’s "Look Alive." “
“Sicko Mode,” released in 2019, earned Keith a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
On Thursday, BlocBoy J posted about the Tennessee native's death in a series of Instagram Stories. The posts included a broken heart emoji, a photo of Keith and JB, and screenshots showing daily phone calls between the artist and producer.
"Damn Cuz You Just Hurt Me Bad," JB wrote. "We talked everyday yeen tell me you was leaving."
Streamers PlaqueBoyMax and Silky reacted to news of Keith’s death during a livestream, appearing to process the death in real time as Silky repeated, “RIP, bro.”
Producer BanBwoi, known for working on tracks including "Spin Bout U" by Drake and 21 Savage and "SkeeYee" by Sexyy Red, also took to Instagram on Thursday to post a heartfelt carousel and message.
"Idk how to feel bro," he wrote. "Closest death ever even been to me. I love you and thank you for everything. Thank you for being my first big brother."
He wrote about some of his favorite memories with Keith.
"I love the way your snares cut through the beat,” he said. “You brought me places nobody asked you to bring me bro. Idk where id be without you deadass man. Not figuratively but literally."
Keith’s 2023 single with Sexyy Red, "Pound Town," debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the producer’s debut on the chart as a lead artist. Nicki Minaj featured on the remix, "Pound Town 2."
Hitkidd, a fellow Memphis hip-hop producer, also posted a tribute on Instagram, writing: "I ain’t even got the words, we been doing this since 2010 @taykeith."
