DJ Kay Slay dies at 55

Hip-hop graffiti artist and DJ, Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay, has reportedly died after a four month battle with COVID.

He was 55.

DJ Kay Slay passes away

Slay passed away on Easter Sunday, hip-hop promoter Van Silk confirmed.

His family later released a statement:

“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay,” his family said in a statement. “A dominant figure in Hip Hop culture with millions of fans worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will transcend generations. In memory of DJ Kay Slay, our family wishes to thank all of his friends, fans, and supporters for their prayers and well wishes during this difficult time. We ask that you respect our privacy as we grieve this tragic loss.”

Grayson was admitted to the hospital in December 2021 after contracting COVID.

In January, music manger Wack 100 confirmed DJ Kay Slay’s hospitalizaton due to COVID-19 and said he had been put on a ventilator to help assist with his breathing. “Pray for my brotha @djkayslay It’s not looking good,” Wack wrote in a post on Instagram. “He might be mad at me for this those that know Slay but he needs all the support he can get … Been 14 days fighting Covid and he’s just [been] put on a ventilator . Keep him in your prayers Please. [sic]”

DJ Kay Slay was an influential figure in hip-hop. Signing a recording deal with Columbia Records, Slay (also known as “The Drama King” and “Mr. Smack Your Favorite DJ”) released his major label debut, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1, in 2003, which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. His sophomore release, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2, dropped the following year and reached No. 10 on that chart. He released six studio albums during his career, the most recent being The Soul Controller, which dropped in December 2021, shortly before his hospitalization.

He was also a mainstay at the hip-hop New York based radio station Hot 97 and the owner of Straight Stuntin’ Magazine.