Hip-Hop Producer Tay Keith Dies at 29

The success of those records cemented his status as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop production.

Published: 6/18/2026, 10:38:48 PM EDT

Hip-Hop Producer Tay Keith Dies at 29 — Record producer Tay Keith arrives for the Warner Bros Music Pre-Grammy Party at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2023. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

Brytavious Chambers, the Grammy-nominated producer known as Tay Keith, was found dead on Thursday afternoon in his Nashville apartment during a welfare check. He was 29.

Officers found Chambers at a residence on Martin Street, according to a June 18 statement from the Metro Nashville Police Department posted on X. “No foul play is suspected in the death of Brytavious Chambers, 29, also known as Grammy nominated record producer Tay Keith,” police said. His death remains unclassified pending autopsy results.

Chambers emerged as one of hip-hop’s most influential producers in recent years, helping define the sound of modern trap music with hard-hitting bass, sharp percussion, and atmospheric melodies, according to a biography by Elizabeth Records. His production style, rooted in Memphis traditions but adapted for a broader audience, became widely recognized across chart-topping releases.

Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Chambers began making beats at age 14 using digital production software and sharing his work online. While attending Middle Tennessee State University, where he studied media management, he balanced school with an increasingly active music career and graduated in 2018.

His breakthrough came the same year with the single “Look Alive,” a collaboration between BlocBoy JB and Drake that reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to a biography by David Crone. The track helped propel both the artist and the producer into the national spotlight.

Chambers quickly followed with additional high-profile work, including co-producing Drake’s “Nonstop” and Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” the latter becoming a No. 1 hit that earned multiple Grammy nominations and achieved diamond certification. The success of those records cemented his status as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop production.

Over the following years, he collaborated with a wide range of major artists, including Lil Nas X, DJ Khaled, Polo G, and 6ix9ine, building a catalog of gold- and platinum-certified songs. His work also extended beyond hip-hop into pop and R&B, with credits alongside artists such as Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus.

In addition to producing, Chambers pursued his own projects and business ventures. He partnered on full-length releases with artists including Co Cash and Fast Cash Boyz and later launched the Drumatized label, supported by a deal with Warner. The label’s early releases included collaborations with Lil Durk and Gunna.

Chambers was also known for his consistent output and disciplined approach to his craft, earning a reputation for reliability in the studio, according to Elizabeth Records. His work helped elevate Memphis’ influence on mainstream hip-hop.

Authorities said the investigation into his death is ongoing, with a final determination awaiting medical examiner results.