Tay Keith is dead at 29. The Grammy-nominated producer, born Brytavious Chambers, was found dead in his Nashville apartment on Thursday, June 18, 2026, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
- What: The death of producer Tay Keith (Brytavious Chambers)
- Who: Grammy-nominated producer behind “Sicko Mode” and “Rich Flex”
- When: Found dead Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Where: A Martin Street apartment in Nashville, Tennessee
- Why it matters: One of the defining rap producers of the late 2010s and 2020s
How did Tay Keith die?
Officers found Tay Keith dead during a welfare check at his Martin Street apartment on the afternoon of June 18, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. Police said no foul play is suspected.
The department classified the death as undetermined pending the results of an autopsy. No further details on the cause have been released, and authorities have not given a timeline for the autopsy findings.
Who was Tay Keith?
Tay Keith was a producer from Memphis, Tennessee, and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. He built one of the most recognizable production sounds in modern rap, marked by hard, minimal drums and a signature producer tag.
His national breakthrough came in 2018 with BlocBoy JB and Drake’s “Look Alive,” a top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hit. The success made Tay Keith one of the most in-demand producers of that period almost overnight.
He went on to earn two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song. The first came for Travis Scott’s 2018 single “Sicko Mode,” featuring Drake. The second was for Drake and 21 Savage’s 2022 track “Rich Flex.”
Over his career, Tay Keith worked with many of the biggest names in music, including Drake, Travis Scott, and Beyoncé. His credits span chart-topping singles and deep album cuts across rap and pop.
At his peak in the late 2010s, Tay Keith was among the most prolific producers in rap, stacking placements across major label releases in a single year. His producer tag became a recognizable stamp on radio and streaming, a signal that a record carried his signature drum programming.
Why the death of Tay Keith matters
Tay Keith helped define the sound of mainstream rap in the late 2010s and into the 2020s. His beats anchored some of the era’s biggest hits and shaped a generation of trap production.
For context on the sound he helped popularize, see our explainer on trap music. His work with Travis Scott on “Sicko Mode” remains one of the most-streamed rap songs of the decade.
At 29, he was still an active, central figure in the genre rather than a legacy name, which has made the loss land hard across the industry.
How have artists reacted?
News of Tay Keith’s death drew tributes from collaborators and peers across the music industry. Friends and fellow artists shared memories and condolences as the news spread Thursday.
Reporting on the producer’s death has been carried by major outlets, including Rolling Stone and Billboard.
What happens next?
An autopsy will determine the cause of death, police said. Authorities have not given a timeline for those results.
This is a developing story. Further details on memorial plans and official statements from his collaborators and label are expected in the coming days.
How did Tay Keith die?
Tay Keith was found dead in his Nashville apartment on June 18, 2026, during a police welfare check. Metro Nashville Police said no foul play is suspected and the death is undetermined pending an autopsy.
How old was Tay Keith?
Tay Keith was 29 years old. He was born Brytavious Chambers in Memphis, Tennessee.
What songs did Tay Keith produce?
Tay Keith produced Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex,” and BlocBoy JB and Drake’s “Look Alive.” He also worked with artists including Beyoncé.
Did Tay Keith win a Grammy?
Tay Keith was nominated for two Grammys in the Best Rap Song category, for “Sicko Mode” and “Rich Flex.” Both were nominations rather than wins.
