This article was originally published on Vibe.com
“Tay Keith, fuck these ni**as up” is not just a catchy producer tag; it’s a forewarning of the musicianship to follow. His signature line launched a slew of chart-topping singles, grimy deep cuts, and addictive bass lines on songs for the likes of Travis Scott, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Key Glock, and Sexyy Red. Tay Keith was behind the hits and stands as one of the most lauded producers of the streaming era, shaping modern-day hip-hop.
Unfortunately, 29-year-old’s promising career suffered a tragic end. On Thursday (June 18), he was found dead in his Nashville apartment after a welfare check by local law enforcement, who confirmed “his death is unclassified pending autopsy results” with no foul play suspected.
Expanding on sounds pioneered by his Memphis predecessors, such as Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, Tay Keith carved his own lane. Born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, the Grammy-nominated producer began experimenting with his artistry as a teenager. His breakthrough arrived when his 2017 BlocBoy JB collab “Shoot” traveled beyond “Bluff City” and Tennessee’s borders. In 2018, the duo then linked up with Drake, who at the time reigned as commercial rap’s effective King Midas, giving the producer his first mainstream hit while officially ushering in the age of Tay Keith.
