Tay Keith Dead at 29: Hip-Hop Mourns Legendary Producer

Tay Keith, the Grammy-nominated producer whose signature tag became one of the most recognizable sounds in modern hip-hop, has died at the age of 29.

Metro Nashville Police confirmed that the producer, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, was found dead in his apartment on Martin Street in Nashville on Thursday after officers performed a welfare check. No foul play is suspected. A cause of death has not been determined.

BlocBoy JB and HitKidd React

News of the passing first spread when BlocBoy JB, one of Tay Keith's closest collaborators, shared an emotional series of posts on his Instagram story. One included a throwback photo with the caption:

"Dam Cuz... You just hurt me bad."

Another story showed a screen recording of their recent call logs, accompanied by a message expressing grief that his longtime partner left without warning:

"We talked everyday yeen even tell me you was leaving."

Producer HitKidd also posted a tribute, writing that the two had been working together since 2010, long before either became household names.

A Catalog That Changed the Sound of Hip-Hop

Tay Keith built one of the most dominant production catalogs in modern rap in a remarkably short time. His minimalist, hard-hitting style drew from classic Memphis underground rap and turned it into something that dominated charts worldwide.

In 2018 alone, he produced BlocBoy JB and Drake's "Look Alive" (which went quintuple platinum), Drake's "Nonstop," and co-produced Travis Scott's chart-topping "Sicko Mode," all before graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with degrees in Integrated Studies and Media Management.

"Sicko Mode" earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song at the 61st Grammy Awards in 2019. He received a second nomination in 2024 for his work on Drake and 21 Savage's "Rich Flex."

His credits stretched across the genre's biggest names: Beyonce ("Before I Let Go" on Homecoming), Eminem, Lil Baby, Future, Lil Nas X, Cardi B, Moneybagg Yo, Key Glock, and Yo Gotti.

The Rise of Sexyy Red

In 2023, Tay Keith played a pivotal role in Sexyy Red's breakout by producing "Pound Town," the viral hit that launched her career into the mainstream. He reunited with her on "Pound Town 2" and "Get It Sexyy," solidifying another chapter in his legacy as someone who could both elevate established stars and create new ones.

He also co-produced Drake's "Jimmy Cooks" featuring 21 Savage, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022, and contributed to Drake's 2024 diss track "Family Matters."

From Memphis to the World

Born and raised in Memphis, Tay Keith met BlocBoy JB as a teenager. They started making music together and posting it online, building a following that eventually caught Drake's attention. That connection changed everything.

Billboard recently named him one of the top producers of the 21st century on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, ranking him at number 12 alongside legends like Jermaine Dupri and Boi-1da.

His signature producer tag became a signal that something massive was about to hit. In a genre full of talented beat-makers, few achieved the instant recognition that Tay Keith earned in less than a decade of major releases.

Hip-Hop Lost a Generational Talent

At 29 years old, Tay Keith had already accomplished more than most producers achieve in a full career. Multiple Grammy nominations, a number one hit, billions of streams, and credits with the biggest names in music. The hip-hop community lost someone who was still climbing, still creating, still shaping the sound.

Rest in peace, Tay Keith. Memphis raised a legend.