Grammy Nominee Producer Who Made “Sicko Mode,” Tay Keith, Found Dead at His Home at 29

Tay Keith (Tay Keith·29), the American musical genius who created Travis Scott’s historic mega hit “Sicko Mode” and sent shockwaves through the global hip-hop scene, has died suddenly.

■ Found dead at his Nashville home… Police: “No signs of murder”

On the 18th (local time), according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and Rolling Stone, Tay Keith—whose birth name is Brytavious Chambers—was found dead Thursday afternoon at his apartment on Martin Street in Nashville, Tennessee.

In a statement, police said, “Officers who visited the scene for a welfare check found him,” adding, “At this time, there is no suspicion of foul play or any criminal allegation, and the exact cause of death will remain unclassified until the results of an autopsy are released.” The news of the death of a prodigy reportedly in his late 20s left the hip-hop community in deep shock and grief.

■ The ruler of “South Hip-Hop” loved by Drake, Travis Scott and Beyoncé

Born in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee, Tay Keith began making beats independently from the age of 14, reinterpreting the sounds of “Three 6 Mafia,” a legend of Southern hip-hop, in his own style and showcasing his genius.

A turning point that changed his life came when a track he worked on with BlocBoy JB, a rapper from the city of the time (2018), got into the ears of super star Drake. At the time, he was 21. His breakthrough came when Drake’s featured “Look Alive” entered the Billboard Hot 100 upper ranks, instantly establishing him as one of the producers Hollywood was watching most closely.

That same year, he took on co-producing Travis Scott’s historic hit “Sicko Mode,” claiming the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning attention by landing a nomination for the Grammy Awards “Best Rap Song” category. After that, he produced Beyoncé (Beyoncé)’s live-album bonus track “Before I Let Go,” including Eminem’s 10th album track “Not Alike,” and more recently he served as the overall producer of the rising star Sexyy Red’s 2024 album. He has churned out major hits in succession—such as “Pound Town” and “SkeeYee”—that struck the Billboard charts, cementing his status as a true “hand of Midas.”

■ “From a kid who grew up as a working-class child getting nutrition allowances (food stamps) to a hero”… Departing over the good influence

While living the lavish life of a super producer, Tay Keith never forgot the difficult environment he grew up in. He has been devoted to charitable activities that help disadvantaged teenagers in his hometown of Memphis.

In an interview with Rolling Stone during his lifetime, he admitted, “I grew up in government subsidized housing (Section 8), eating food stamps (child-rearing allowances) and free meals, with support provided in a single-parent household. I overcame countless hardships and achieved success through music as an escape route.” He then held large-scale donations and free seminars every Christmas to prove to young friends who were in the same situation as him that, “If you chase your dreams, you can make them come true, too.”