Tay Keith, the Memphis-based producer whose beats shaped a generation of rap hits, has died at 29. Police discovered him in his Nashville apartment. No cause of death has been released.
BlocBoy JB, Keith's frequent collaborator, announced the death on Instagram, writing, "We talked everyday yeen even tell me you was leaving." The two worked closely together throughout Keith's career, creating some of the most recognizable tracks in contemporary hip-hop.
Keith's production fingerprints covered major releases from 2016 onward. His work appeared on Drake's "Look Alive," the track that launched him into national prominence. He produced for artists including Lil Baby, Gunna, and Playboi Carti. His production style balanced booming 808s with spacious arrangements, influencing the sound of trap music across the late 2010s and 2020s.
A Grammy nomination came his way, marking formal recognition from the recording industry. Yet his influence extended far beyond academy acknowledgment. Younger producers studied his drum patterns and layering techniques. Rappers actively sought his beats for their projects.
The loss represents another sudden death in hip-hop, a genre that has faced repeated tragedies in recent years. Keith's relatively young age and the abruptness of his passing underscore the unpredictability that shadows the music world.
His catalog will continue streaming, his beats still generating revenue and cultural impact. For BlocBoy JB and countless other artists who built hits around Keith's production, his absence now shapes their future work. The Memphis producer leaves behind a body of work that defined an era of trap music's sound.