Tay Keith dies at 29, hip-hop producer who worked with Beyonce and Drake
Tay Keith, a hip-hop producer who worked with Beyoncé, Drake, Travis Scott, Swae Lee and Eminem, has been found dead in his Nashville apartment.
Famous hip-hop producer Tay Keith has died at the age of 29 in Nashville.
“No foul play is suspected in the death of Grammy-nominated record producer Brightavius Chambers, also known as Tay Keith,” Metro Nashville Police said in a statement on social media. “He was found dead this afternoon at Martin Street (apartments) by police officers conducting a welfare check. His death is unclassified pending autopsy results.”
The cause of death was not immediately released.
USA TODAY has reached out to Keith’s representatives for more information.
The Grammy-nominated producer is Memphis-born Brightavius LaKeith Chambers, known for his collaborations with musicians such as Drake, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, 21 Savage, Swae Lee and Eminem.
Keith started making beats at the age of 14 and his career began in 2015 when he started working with rapper Blac Youngsta. In the summer of 2017, Keith’s song “Shoot” with BlocBoy JB took the internet by storm. The following year, Keith gained worldwide recognition alongside JB on “Look Alive” (featuring Drake).
Tay Keith says music was his escape: ‘It was tough’
In 2018, Keith told the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that music was his escape.
“It was tough,” Keith said, reflecting on his childhood in Memphis.
“Everyone in Memphis has a grind mentality. Music was my escape. School was Plan B in case music didn’t work out. I didn’t think it would work out. I just felt, ‘If I do those two things, something will get me up there. Something will make me successful.’
Despite his musical success, one of Keith’s proudest accomplishments remains earning his degree from MTSU.
“You feel respected, and I just want to repay that respect. I want to prove that you can go to school and still pursue your dreams,” he said.
“There are a lot of entrepreneurs here who are going to school and they have no idea what to do next or what direction to go in. And me graduating will motivate them.”
Song produced by Tay Keith
Keith’s musical career spans a parade of hip-hop luminaries.
He is best known for co-producing Travis Scott’s 2018 No. 1 hit “Sicko Mode.” But Keith also influenced songs by Drake (“Nonstop”), Beyoncé (“Before I Let Go”), Eminem (“Not Alik”) and Blocboy JB (“Look Alive”).
Keith has also branched out into a solo career, putting his name on the top of his 2023 single “Pound Town” with Sexy Red. The song became a viral hit for Sexy Red, and a remix was released by Nicki Minaj a few months after its release in January.
Contributor: Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY
