Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith has died at age 29. The Memphis-born hitmaker, known for shaping the sound behind some of the biggest songs in modern hip-hop, was found dead in his Nashville apartment on June 18, 2026. Here is everything confirmed so far about what happened, along with a look back at the career that made him one of his generation’s most influential producers.
What Happened to Tay Keith?
Tay Keith, whose real name is Brytavious Chambers, was found dead in his Nashville apartment on Thursday, June 18, 2026. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, officers discovered him while conducting a welfare check at his apartment on Martin Street.
In a statement shared on X, Nashville police confirmed:
“No foul play is suspected in the death of Brytavious Chambers, 29, also known as Grammy nominated record producer Tay Keith. He was found dead in his Martin St. apt. this afternoon by officers performing a welfare check. His death is unclassified pending autopsy results.”
What Was Tay Keith’s Cause of Death?
As of now, no official cause of death has been released. Police have labeled his death as “unclassified” while an autopsy is conducted, and authorities have not indicated whether drugs, a medical emergency, or any other factor played a role. Investigators typically wait for toxicology and laboratory results before determining an official cause of death, so this may take time to confirm.
Who Was Tay Keith?
Tay Keith was a Grammy-nominated record producer born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He built his career while still a student at Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a degree in integrated studies and media management. Speaking to the university’s student publication in 2020, Keith explained why he stayed in school even after achieving early success:
“There wouldn’t be any point for me to come to college if I didn’t want to finish it. I could have just focused 100% on music. By my last week of college, I had my first No. 1 single, so it didn’t make any sense to drop out.”
What Songs Did Tay Keith Produce?
Keith’s production work shaped some of the defining hip-hop hits of the past decade. Here is a breakdown of his most notable production credits:
| Song | Artist(s) | Notable Recognition |
| Sicko Mode | Travis Scott | Grammy nomination, Best Rap Song (2019) |
| Rich Flex | Drake & 21 Savage | Grammy nomination (2024) |
| Look Alive | BlocBoy JB & Drake | Went quintuple platinum, peaked at No. 5 |
| Pound Town | Sexyy Red | Her breakout single |
| Before I Let Go | Beyoncรฉ | Bonus track on Grammy-winning Homecoming album |
| Nonstop | Drake | Billboard Hot 100 hit |
| Rain | AJ Tracey & Aitch | Reached No. 3 on the UK singles chart |
Keith also worked with artists including Eminem, Lil Nas X, DJ Khaled, Cardi B, Moneybagg Yo, J Cole, Future, Juicy J, and Jennifer Lopez throughout his career. According to Variety, he was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year three times, most recently in 2024, recognizing his work on tracks including “First Person Shooter,” “Meltdown,” “SkeeYee,” and “Circo Loco.” He also earned BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year honor in 2018.
How Did Tay Keith Get His Start?
Keith began making music as a teenager, recording with little more than a microphone, his computer, and a piano. He uploaded his early tracks to platforms like DatPiff and YouTube before connecting with fellow Memphis artist BlocBoy JB at age 14. The two became close collaborators, and that partnership eventually produced “Look Alive,” the song that helped launch both of their careers into the mainstream in 2018.
His breakthrough year continued with “Sicko Mode,” released later in 2018, which became one of his signature productions and earned him his first Grammy nomination. According to Pitchfork, his sound blended the distorted, horrorcore-influenced style of Memphis rap with the melodic trap sound that had taken off in Atlanta, creating a style that became instantly recognizable across the genre.
How Are People Reacting to Tay Keith’s Death?
Tributes poured in quickly from collaborators and fans following the news. BlocBoy JB, who had known Keith since they were teenagers, posted a tribute on Instagram, writing:
“We talked everyday yeen tell me you was leaving.”
Fellow Memphis producer Hitkidd also shared his disbelief on Instagram, writing that the two had been working together since 2010. UK rapper AJ Tracey, who collaborated with Keith on the 2020 hit “Rain,” called him “a legend of the game” in a tribute posted to his Instagram story, adding that Keith had a significant impact on his career.
Fans also shared messages of grief and admiration across social media, with many highlighting how much of his work shaped the sound of mainstream hip-hop throughout the late 2010s and into the 2020s.
Key Takeaways
- Tay Keith, real name Brytavious Chambers, died at age 29 and was found in his Nashville apartment on June 18, 2026.
- Nashville police say no foul play is suspected, though his cause of death remains unclassified pending autopsy results.
- He produced major hits including “Sicko Mode,” “Rich Flex,” “Look Alive,” and “Pound Town.”
- He earned multiple Grammy nominations and was named BMI’s Producer of the Year three times.
- Tributes have come in from BlocBoy JB, AJ Tracey, and Hitkidd, among others in the music community.
As the investigation into his death continues, Tay Keith’s influence on modern hip-hop remains widely recognized, with collaborators and fans alike honoring the legacy of a producer whose sound helped define a generation of rap music.
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