Tay Keith’s family confirms his death at 29, calling the Grammy-nominated producer a “cultural force” whose legacy will live on through his music.
Tay Keith was found dead in his Nashville apartment, and his family has now released a statement confirming the loss of one of Hip-Hop’s most prolific architects.
Metro Nashville Police discovered the body of Brytavious Lakeith Chambers during a welfare check at his Martin Street home on June 18, and authorities say no foul play is suspected. His cause of death remains undetermined pending autopsy results.
His family’s statement through his Drumatized company account described him as someone whose impact went far beyond the boards.
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“BryTavious was a visionary producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural force whose work helped define the sound of a generation,” the statement read, adding that he was deeply committed to building up emerging artists through Drumatized.
The family also revealed he was a passionate supporter of mental health awareness and cancer-related causes, both in honor of his late mother.
Born September 20, 1996, in South Memphis, Tay Keith started making beats at 14, uploading tracks to YouTube and DatPiff while teaching himself piano.
He linked with BlocBoy JB early on, and by 2018, the two had co-produced “Look Alive” featuring Drake, which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
That same year, he delivered Drake’s “Nonstop” at number two and co-produced Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” at number one.
According to Billboard, Keith finished his career with 11 top 10 hits and four number ones on the Hot 100, including Drake’s “First Person Shooter,” and holds this decade’s record for most number ones on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with six.
His reach only grew from there. Eminem, Beyonce, Cardi B, Lil Baby, Sexyy Red, Future, Moneybagg Yo and Lil Nas X were all part of his credit sheet, and in 2022, he launched Drumatized as an official label through Warner, eventually expanding it into country music as well.
“BryTavious was a beloved son, brother, uncle, family member, and friend. While the world knew him as Tay Keith, his family knew him as BryTavious — a source of love, strength, laughter, and guidance.
We take comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on through the music he created, the opportunities he provided, and the lives he touched,” the statement continued.
He and his manager, Cambrian Strong, earned a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Music list in 2024, proof that his vision extended way past producing hits for other people. MTSU, where he earned his Media Management degree in 2018, later named him an honorary professor, and he stayed active as a mentor and advocate for young creatives on campus.
He had just been working on new music for major artists and his last Instagram post, on May 7, promoted Chris Brown’s new song “Call Your Name” featuring Sexyy Red and GloRilla. His family says memorial arrangements will be shared at a later date.
Tay Keith was 29 years old.
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