Discovery and Investigation
On June 18, 2026, Metro Nashville Police discovered the body of 29-year-old Brytavious “Tay Keith” Chambers in his Martin Street apartment during a welfare check. The department stated that “no foul play is suspected,” but the cause of death remains undetermined pending autopsy results. Keith, a dominant force behind numerous chart-topping hip-hop tracks, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Meteoric Rise from Memphis
Chambers grew up in the South Memphis, East Memphis, and Orange Mound neighborhoods, crafting beats from the age of 14. His career ignited in 2017 when the BlocBoy JB single “Shoot” went viral. The following year, “Look Alive” — featuring Drake and celebrating the Memphis area code with the line “901 Shelby Drive look alive, look alive” — catapulted him to international attention. Simultaneously, he pursued a degree at Middle Tennessee State University, graduating in December 2018 just as his co-production on Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “In my last week of college, I had my first No. 1 single, so there was no point in dropping out,” he once reflected. “I want to show that you can go to school and still chase your dream.”
Grammy Nods and Chart-Topping Hits
Keith’s production credits quickly expanded to include Drake’s “Nonstop” and “Rich Flex,” Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go,” Eminem’s “Not Alike,” and Sexyy Red’s breakout “Pound Town.” His signature tag, “Tay Keith, fuck these niggas up!,” became synonymous with a sound that melded distorted Memphis horrorcore with Atlanta’s melodic trap. The work earned him two Grammy nominations, BMI’s Producer of the Year award in 2024, and a spot on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Music” list in 2025. His last social media post, on May 7, 2026, announced the Chris Brown track “Call Your Name” with Sexyy Red and GloRilla.
Community in Shock
News of Keith’s death triggered an outpouring from collaborators and admirers. Fellow artists shared their grief online. BlocBoy JB posted their daily call log with the message, “We talked everyday yeen tell me you was leaving.” Longtime partner Hitkidd wrote, “I ain’t even got the words, we been doing this since 2010.” Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered a simple “Rest in peace, Tay Keith,” while British rapper AJ Tracey called him “a legend of the game” who had a big impact on his career. During live streams, popular streamers PlaqueBoyMax and Silky visibly broke down upon learning the news.
MTSU Dean Beverly Keel remembered his quiet confidence: “He wasn’t impressed by his success, and if he had an ego, he never showed it. He was confident in his work, but there was no arrogance.” As the Nashville police continue their investigation, the hip-hop community is left to reconcile the sudden loss of one of its most influential behind-the-scenes architects.