Grammy nominated music producer Keith Cheng He was 29 years old and died after being found unresponsive in a Nashville apartment, according to local authorities.
His body was discovered during a welfare check, according to police. Authorities said “no foul play is suspected.” Officials said the investigation is ongoing and the cause of the producer’s death has not yet been determined.
Read more: What happened to Tykith? BlocBoy JB’s post about producer sparks death rumors; here’s what we know
The death was unclassified pending autopsy results.
The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed officers responded to an apartment complex Thursday after receiving a report of an unresponsive man. Authorities later identified the deceased as Tay Keith, whose real name was Brytavious Keith.
Officials have not announced whether drugs, a medical emergency or any other factors contributed to his death.
Investigators often wait for toxicology and lab results before determining an official cause of death.
Read more: Tay Keith Family: Has the Grammy-nominated producer dated anyone? what we know
hitmaker’s legacy
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Keith became a prominent figure in the hip-hop world after penning Drake and BlocBoy JB’s 2018 hit “Look Alive.”
Drake responded well to Ty Keith’s vocals, a rumbling yet basic take on traditional Memphis underground rap. Before graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 2018, Keith worked on Travis Scott’s chart-topping hit with Drake, “Sicko Mode,” and produced Drake’s hit “Nonstop” shortly after.
“Ty Keith, fuck these bastards!” became his signature drop.
He went on to produce chart-topping records for some of the biggest names in music, including 21 Savage, Future, Moneybagg Yo and Juicy J. His production credits include hits such as “Jimmy Cooks,” “Family Matters” and “Push Ups.”
Keith won a Grammy Award for his work on Travis Scott’s critically acclaimed album Astroworld and became one of the most popular producers of his generation. His beats helped shape the mainstream rap sound throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s.
BlocBoy JB mourns the passing of Tay Keith
News of Keith’s passing was announced by his long-time collaborator BlocBoy JB on his Instagram Story. “We talk every day and even told me you were leaving,” he wrote.
Keith met BlocBoy JB when they were teenagers.
Together they started making music and sharing it online. Some of these songs became popular. This led to Keith and BlocBoy JB producing Drake’s “Look Alive,” which went quintuple platinum and peaked at No. 5.
