Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, was found dead at age 29 in his Martin Street apartment in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday afternoon. The music industry is mourning the sudden loss of the Memphis native, who became a defining force in modern hip-hop through hits like Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” and Drake’s “Look Alive.”
Metro Nashville Police discovered the producer’s body while conducting a routine welfare check. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, authorities confirmed the discovery in an official statement, explicitly noting that “no foul play is suspected” in his passing. The exact cause of death currently remains “unclassified” as investigators await standard toxicology and autopsy results.
The news spread quickly through the Memphis hip-hop community. Longtime collaborator BlocBoy JB was among the first to confirm his passing on an Instagram Story, sharing call logs and paying his respects. He wrote, “We talked everyday yeen even tell me you was leaving.” Other producers and artists, including Hitkidd and Jozzy, shared heartfelt tributes online, remembering him as a “First Big Brother.”
Keith rose from making beats in South Memphis to becoming one of the most sought-after producers in the industry, earning a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Music list. He also notably earned his bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2018 right at the peak of his commercial success, fulfilling a promise to his trade-educated parents.