Drake has paid tribute to Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith after the influential hitmaker was found dead at his Nashville home aged 29.
The Canadian rapper shared an emotional message on social media following the death of Tay Keith, whose real name was Brytavious Lakeith Chambers. The producer was known for helping shape some of hip-hop’s biggest records of the past decade, working with artists including Drake, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, Eminem and 21 Savage.
Drake honours longtime collaborator Tay Keith
Drake posted a black-and-white image of Tay Keith on Instagram alongside a heartfelt message reflecting on their years of collaboration.
“Endless and eternal gratitude for your spirit and your contributions to this thing that we all love so much. You will be deeply missed.”
The pair worked together on several major releases, including First Person Shooter, Rich Flex, Nonstop and What Did I Miss?, helping define Drake’s sound across multiple eras of his career.
Producer found dead in Nashville apartment
According to Metro Nashville Police, officers discovered Chambers at his Martin Street apartment on Thursday 18 June 2026 during a welfare check.
Authorities confirmed that no foul play is suspected, though an autopsy will determine the official cause of death.
In a statement, police said:
“No foul play is suspected in the death of Brytavious Chambers also known as Grammy-nominated record producer Tay Keith.
“He was found dead in his Martin St apartment this afternoon by officers performing a welfare check. His death is unclassified pending autopsy results.”
Family remembers a ‘cultural force’
Tay Keith’s family also released a statement paying tribute to the producer’s achievements and impact on the music industry.
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of BryTavious ‘Tay Keith’ Chambers.
“BryTavious was a visionary producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural force whose work helped define the sound of a generation.
“From Memphis to the global stage, he shaped countless hit records and left a lasting mark on music and culture. He was deeply committed to creating opportunities for others through his company, Drumatized, supporting emerging songwriters, producers, and artists.”
From Memphis producer to global hitmaker
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Tay Keith began producing beats at just 14 years old.
His breakthrough came through collaborations with rapper Blac Youngsta before gaining widespread attention with Shoot, his 2017 collaboration with BlocBoy JB.
The producer’s profile rose dramatically in 2018 when he worked with Drake on the hit single Look Alive, which became a global success and introduced his signature production style to mainstream audiences.
That same year, he co-produced Sicko Mode by Travis Scott, one of the defining hip-hop tracks of the decade. The song topped charts worldwide and earned Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
A legacy across modern hip-hop
Beyond Drake and Travis Scott, Tay Keith’s production credits extended across some of the biggest names in music.
His catalogue includes Drake’s Nonstop, Beyoncé’s Before I Let Go and Eminem’s Not Alike.
He also contributed to records by 21 Savage, Swae Lee and many other leading artists.
In addition to producing, Tay Keith released his own music, including the 2023 single Pound Town with Sexyy Red. The track became a breakout hit and later received a remix featuring Nicki Minaj.
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