DJ Kay Slay, 55, Dies After Lengthy COVID-19 Battle

New York DJ Kay Slay (born Keith Grayson), has died after a months-long battle with COVID-19. The legendary report spinner, producer and label exec recognized for his all-star Streetsweeper sequence of studio albums and greater than two dozen mixtapes handed on Sunday night (April 17) at age 55 after a four-month coronavirus sickness, in keeping with an announcement from his household and HOT 97.

“Our hearts are damaged by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally often called DJ Kay Slay. A dominant determine in Hip Hop tradition with tens of millions of followers worldwide, DJ Kay Slay shall be remembered for his ardour and excellence with a legacy that may transcend generations,” learn the household’s tribute. “In reminiscence of DJ Kay Slay, our household needs to thank all of his mates, followers, and supporters for his or her prayers and effectively needs throughout this tough time. We ask that you simply respect our privateness as we grieve this tragic loss.”

Grayson, who started his decades-long hip-hop profession by making a reputation below his graffiti moniker “Dez,” launched his debut album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 in Might 2003. The jam-packed compilation from the person lovingly known as “the Drama King” featured collaborations with Fats Joe, Raekwon and Scarface, the Lox, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Black Rob, Craig Mack, The Diplomats, Eminem and 8Ball & MJG amongst others. The album hit No. 22 on the Billboard 200 album chart in June 2003 and No. 4 on the High R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, with single “Too A lot For Me” with Nas, Cunning Brown, Child and Amerie peaking at No. 53 on the Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in Might of that yr.

The Streetsweeper sequel album, The Streetsweeper Vol. 2: Ache From the Sport, launched in March 2004 on Columbia Information, was one other star-stuffed compilation of songs produced by the likes of Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, Clark Kent, Eminem and the Heatmakers, with options from Ghostface Killah, Scarface, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Memphis Bleek, LL Cool J, Bun B, Three 6 Mafia, D12 and plenty of extra. The album hit No. 27 on the Billboard 200 album chart in April 2004 and No. 10 on the High R&B/Hip-Hop albums tally with the singles “Who Offers a F–ok The place You From” (Three 6 Mafia, Lil Wyte, Frayser Boy) topping out at No. 89 on the Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart and “Not Your Common Joe (Fats Joe, Joe Budden, Joe) hitting No. 63 on the Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in March 2004.

In an announcement the employees at legendary New York hip-hop station Scorching 97 additionally paid homage to the beloved longtime fixture of the town’s rap scene, writing, “Scorching 97 is shocked and saddened by the lack of our beloved DJ Kay Slay. We cherish the numerous reminiscences created via the twenty-plus years he devoted to the Drama Hour. A cultural icon, Kay Slay was greater than only a DJ, to us he was household and an important a part of what made Scorching 97 the profitable station it’s at present. Our hearts exit to his household, mates, and followers worldwide and we’ll at all times and endlessly have fun The Drama King’s legacy.”

Kay Slay’s different albums embody 2006’s The Champions: The North Meets The South w/ Greg Avenue (No. 57 on the Billboard 200 album chart), 2010’s Extra Than Only a DJ (No. 133 on the Billboard 200 album chart) and a string of mixtapes, starting with 2003’s The Month of the Unhealthy Man via June 2021’s Accolades.