Tay Keith, the Grammy-nominated producer behind some of the biggest rap tracks of the past decade including Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” and Drake’s “Nonstop”, died on Thursday. He was 29.
The Nashville police said Keith – real name Brytavious Chambers – was found dead when officers went to his apartment for a welfare check on Thursday afternoon.
“No foul play is suspected,” the police said in a statement. “He was found dead in his Martin Street apartment this afternoon by officers performing a welfare check. His death is unclassified pending autopsy results.”
Keith emerged in the late 2010s as one of the most sought-after hip-hop producers, raking up credits for major releases by Travis Scott, Drake, Beyoncé, and Eminem. Best known for co-producing Scott’s “Sicko Mode”, Keith helped bring the darker, bass-heavy sound associated with Memphis rap into the mainstream.
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.
He also co-produced Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go”, contributed to Eminem’s “Not Alike”, and played a central role in the rise of Sexyy Red by producing her breakout hit “Pound Town”.
According to Billboard, he had 11 top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No 1 singles.
He received his first Grammy Awards nomination in 2019 for “Sicko Mode”, the standout single from Astroworld, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most successful rap songs of the late 2010s.
His second nomination came in 2024 in the best rap song category for “Rich Flex”, a collaboration between Drake and 21 Savage.
Born and raised in South Memphis, Keith began making beats at 14, uploading music to YouTube and DatPiff while still a teenager. He met Memphis rapper BlocBoy JB around the same time, beginning a creative partnership that would later propel both men into the mainstream. Their breakout hit, “Look Alive”, became his first major commercial success, peaking at No 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.
Despite his commercial success, Keith remained closely tied to Memphis and frequently spoke about the influence of the city on his music.
He also invested in younger artists, later founding DRUMATIZED, a Nashville studio and creative hub supporting emerging talent.
Tributes from collaborators started appearing online as soon as news of his death broke.
On Instagram, BlocBoy JB posted a screenshot of their recent calls and wrote: “We talked everyday. Yeen tell me you was leaving.”
Fellow Memphis producer Hitkidd said on Instagram: “I ain’t even got the words, we been doing this since 2010.”
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