Tay Keith, a Grammy-nominated producer known for his collaborations with major hip-hop artists, has been found dead in Nashville. A cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Tay Keith, a Grammy-nominated music producer recognized for his collaborations with prominent hip-hop artists such as Drake, Travis Scott, Eminem, and Beyoncé, was discovered deceased in his apartment in Nashville, Tennessee. The 29-year-old producer, whose real name was Brytavious Chambers, was located by Nashville police officers following a welfare check. Authorities have indicated that no foul play is suspected in his death.
As of now, the specific cause of Tay Keith's death has not been disclosed, although an autopsy is currently underway.
Keith gained fame for co-producing the hit track "Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott, a work that led to his first Grammy Award nomination in 2019. He received a second nomination in the best rap song category for 2024 for his contributions to the song "Rich Flex" by Drake and 21 Savage.
Over the years, Keith collaborated with a diverse array of artists, producing tracks such as Beyoncé's "Before I Let Go," Lil Nas X's "Holiday," Eminem's "Not Alike," and DJ Khaled's "I Did It." His contributions were instrumental in propelling the career of Sexyy Red, particularly with her breakout single "Pound Town," as well as tracks like "Get It Sexyy," which gained exposure on the HBO series "Euphoria."
In 2022, he was recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Music list, highlighting his impact and influence in the industry.
Keith's Memphis-influenced production style was evident in his work with other artists, including Cardi B and Moneybagg Yo. BlocBoy JB, a Memphis rapper who had known Keith since he was 14, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, stating, "We talked everyday yeen tell me you was leaving," and shared a phone log that illustrated their frequent communication.
Additionally, Keith produced the 2020 hit "Rain" for UK rappers AJ Tracey and Aitch, a song that achieved number three on the UK singles chart. AJ Tracey paid tribute to Keith on his Instagram story, referring to him as "a legend of the game" and acknowledging the significant impact he had on his career.
Tay Keith began his musical journey while still enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a degree in integrated studies and media management. In a 2020 interview with a university magazine, he reflected on his decision to complete his education, stating, "There wouldn't be any point for me to come to college if I didn't want to finish it — I could have just focused 100% on music. By my last week of college, I had my first No. 1 single, so it didn't make any sense to drop out."
