Grammy-nominated American hip-hop producer Tay Keith has died at the age of 29 after he was found unresponsive in his Nashville apartment during a police welfare check.
The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed that officers discovered the producer, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, dead at his Martin Street residence. Authorities said no foul play is suspected, while the cause of death remains unknown pending an autopsy.
Keith rose to prominence as one of hip-hop’s most sought-after producers, crafting chart-topping records for some of the industry’s biggest names, including Drake, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, Eminem, 21 Savage and Swae Lee.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Keith began making beats at the age of 14 before launching his professional career in 2015 through collaborations with rapper Blac Youngsta. His breakthrough came in 2017 with BlocBoy JB’s viral hit Shoot, followed by the global success of Look Alive featuring Drake in 2018.
He later co-produced Travis Scott’s multi-platinum hit Sicko Mode, widely regarded as one of the defining hip-hop records of the decade. His production credits also include Drake’s Nonstop, Beyoncé’s Before I Let Go, Eminem’s Not Alike, and his own 2023 hit Pound Town with Sexyy Red, which gained renewed popularity following a remix by Nicki Minaj.
Beyond music, Keith was an advocate for education. Despite achieving international success, he often described earning his degree from Middle Tennessee State University as one of his proudest accomplishments.
Reflecting on his upbringing in a 2018 interview with The Tennessean, Keith said music became his escape from the hardships of growing up in Memphis, adding that he pursued education alongside his music career to inspire young people to chase their dreams while remaining committed to school.
Tributes from fans and members of the music industry are expected as the hip-hop community mourns the loss of one of its most influential producers.
