The unmistakable producer tag, “Tay Keith, f**k these ni**as up,” is more than just an auditory signature; it's a declaration of sonic dominance. For years, this phrase has preceded a slew of chart-topping hits, raw deep cuts, and irresistible basslines, cementing the legacy of Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, known to the world as Tay Keith. At just 29 years old, the Grammy-nominated producer's promising career was tragically cut short. Local law enforcement confirmed that Tay Keith was found deceased in his Nashville apartment on Thursday, June 18, following a welfare check. While an autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, authorities have indicated that foul play is not suspected, leaving a void in the heart of contemporary hip-hop.
Tay Keith emerged as a formidable force, drawing inspiration from the pioneering Memphis sounds of legends like Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, yet forging a distinct path that resonated with a new generation. His artistic journey began in his teenage years, but it was the 2017 collaboration with BlocBoy JB, “Shoot,” that propelled his name beyond the confines of Memphis and into the national spotlight. The true watershed moment arrived in 2018 when BlocBoy JB and Tay Keith teamed up with Drake, the undisputed commercial king of rap at the time. This collaboration, “Look Alive,” became Tay Keith's first major mainstream hit, officially heralding his arrival and ushering in a new era dominated by his signature production.
Since that pivotal year, Tay Keith’s influence has been undeniable, shaping some of hip-hop’s most significant cultural moments. His talent garnered widespread respect from artists, singers, and fellow producers alike, solidifying his status as one of the industry's most sought-after creatives. Beyond his production prowess, Tay Keith established his own record label, DRUMATIZED, aiming to support emerging talent in both hip-hop and country music. He also demonstrated a commitment to giving back, advocating for music education through initiatives at his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, underscoring his dedication to nurturing future artists.
While encapsulating the entirety of Tay Keith's impactful career into a single list is a daunting task, a compilation of 10 essential songs serves as a powerful testament to his excellence. This selection showcases a spectrum of his work, from massive hit records that defined playlists to deeper cuts that revealed his nuanced artistic sensibilities. Each track highlights his innate musical instinct, remarkable versatility, and the enduring impact he left on the sonic fabric of modern music.
Tay Keith and BlocBoy JB, a duo who emerged from Memphis's vibrant music scene as ambitious teenagers, shared an early and crucial creative bond. Their 2018 collaboration with Drake, "Look Alive," produced by Tay Keith, became a pivotal moment for both artists and the city of Memphis. The track, characterized by its ominous keys and a powerful, thumping bassline, provided a perfect sonic canvas for the rappers to deliver their verses with effortless flow. Tay Keith’s own recollection of the beat's creation reveals its spontaneous genius: "It was crazy, I made the beat in like 30 minutes... I made it on FL, Fruity Loops 11 to be exact. I didn’t think nothing of it. It had the kind of similar sound of the Memphis bounce to it, like old Three 6 Mafia but with that new 808 sound. I added the creepy piano sound, a kind of melodic new wave that I’m making. That sound is going to be a new wave for sure." This seemingly simple creation unlocked doors for him to explore a wider range of sounds.
Beyond "Look Alive," the Tay Keith and BlocBoy JB partnership yielded other essential tracks that defined their synergy, including "Rover," "Day Day n Craig," "Shoot," and "Rich Off Pain." These collaborations not only showcased their evolving artistic chemistry but also became staples in the Memphis hip-hop canon. The raw energy and distinctive sound they cultivated together laid the groundwork for their individual successes and solidified their place as a notable rapper-producer duo.
The year 2018 proved to be incredibly fruitful for Tay Keith, marked by another monumental achievement: his production on Travis Scott’s magnum opus, "SICKO MODE." Featured on Scott's Grammy-nominated album ASTROWORLD, this multi-faceted anthem, co-produced by a team including Hit-Boy, OZ, CuBeatz, and Allen Ritter, is renowned for its innovative use of beat switches. Tay Keith's signature tag, "Tay Keith f**k these ni**as up," appears in the track's third section, delivering one of its most memorable and impactful moments. This segment effectively transitions the song's atmosphere from the vibrant energy of a club to a more intimate, post-party vibe, with Drake’s slick delivery riding Tay Keith’s crisp, hard-hitting drum patterns, enhancing the track's climactic feel and encouraging listeners to hit repeat.
Key Glock and Tay Keith shared a symbiotic creative relationship, often pushing each other to produce their best work. Their extensive joint discography includes tracks like "Since 6ix" and "Ambition For Cash," but their first official collaboration, "Russian Cream," released in 2018, stands out as a foundational piece. The song features a hauntingly simple, looping piano melody underscored by a deep, rolling bass, crafting a hypnotic trap classic. Key Glock’s confident and precise rapping found its ideal home within the beats meticulously crafted by his self-proclaimed "favorite producer," creating a perfect sonic landscape for his lyrical prowess. "Russian Cream" not only significantly boosted Key Glock's career trajectory but also became a globally recognized banger, inspiring numerous remixes and covers, notably Megan Thee Stallion's popular Houston-infused rendition that propelled her towards superstardom.
Tay Keith’s ability to consistently develop a unique sonic identity for artists extended beyond his frequent collaborators. He was instrumental in transforming Sexyy Red from an internet phenomenon into a chart-topping success. Their first official collaboration, "Pound Town," marked both artists' debut on the Billboard Hot 100 as lead artists, especially after Nicki Minaj added a compelling verse to create a highly successful remix. The track's production features a relaxed tempo, anchored by deep 808s and rapid-fire hi-hats, providing a flexible platform for the St. Louis rapper's audacious and often shocking lyrical content. This creative partnership has since been a cornerstone of Sexyy Red's biggest hits, including subsequent singles like "SkeeYee," "Get It Sexy," "I Don’t Wanna Be Saved," and "Hang Wit a Bad Bitch" (featuring Key Glock).
Recalling the initial reception to Sexyy Red's sound, Tay Keith shared his perspective: "People were trolling the s–t out of me. They were real-deal trolling me. It wasn’t much good feedback. It was coming from even people around me, ‘What you doing?’ I saw the potential. That’s as simple as it was, me believing in her." This anecdote highlights his foresight and belief in artists, even when faced with skepticism.
While Tay Keith built his reputation as a pioneer of modern trap production, his versatility proved he was far from a one-trick pony. His reimagining of Frankie Beverly and Maze's soulful classic "Before I Let Go" for Beyoncé showcased this breadth. Co-produced with Queen Bey herself and Derek Dixie, this dance-oriented rendition sharply contrasted with his signature eerie, Memphis horrorcore-influenced beats. Yet, the R&B track undeniably bore his distinctive touch, masterfully merging Southern Black musical traditions with various samples and contemporary drumming to create a groove that resonated across generations of line dancers. Explaining his process, Keith told Revolt, "Basically, I had made the sample beat, and I decided to put another sample in the background of it. It was a day process. It didn’t take 24 hours, but it took a whole day to get everything how I wanted it."
Another notable entry in Tay Keith’s diverse catalog is "In The Air" by Rico Nasty and BlocBoy JB, a track that brilliantly fuses Rico Nasty’s alternative punk sensibility with Keith’s quintessential trap techniques. The high-energy song is characterized by its aggressive yet playful tone and expertly incorporates an electric guitar sample, a relatively uncommon element in Keith’s typical sonic palette. This collaboration not only reaffirmed the organic chemistry between Tay Keith and BlocBoy JB but also exemplified Keith's boundless creativity and willingness to experiment with different genres and sounds.
Although the wider music world largely recognized Tay Keith's genius in 2018, his influence had been growing steadily among Tennessee's hip-hop artists since 2017, including frequent collaborators Starlito and Don Trip. On their track "SW4," Tay Keith stepped into the role of a composer, establishing a vivid sonic backdrop for the duo's narrative-driven lyrics. The repetitive, atmospheric melody allowed every diss, boast, and threat from the rappers to be heard with crystalline clarity, amplified by a production style that exuded the raw intensity and gritty authenticity characteristic of Memphis hip-hop. Their creative synergy extended beyond "SW4"; another standout collaboration arrived in 2025 with "The Tay Keith Song," a two-minute display of their collective talents, centered around a consistent, driving melody.
Reporting via Vibe. Read the original story here: https://www.vibe.com/features/lists/tay-keith-essential-songs-1235177060/
