I’ve spent the last 5 years of my life in the State of Tennessee, immersed in Southern culture, and more importantly to me, music. Memphis’s sound transformed not only the state, and the South, but also the rap scene. Memphis products like Glorilla have hit the mainstream, but we need to remember those that are behind the beat. So, I want to take this time to write about Tay Keith, a pioneer of production. Tay Keith went to MTSU, about 40 minutes from where I went to school. It wasn’t strange for us to be out and look over and say “Oh there’s Tay Keith.” But I can only imagine how strange it would’ve been for him to be in the club and hear a song he labored over for hours, playing off of the speakers. Tay Keith has produced so many songs that we know and love. From the iconic Sicko Mode, or Rover by Blocboy JB, Tay has produced for Travis Scott and Drake more times than I can remember. He earned a Grammy nomination for his work.
But, he was never in a section, at least the numerous times that I saw him. He finished college, even when he had a number one hit on the charts. He seemed quiet, but his beats were loud. They commanded a room. Who could ever forget his producer tag: “Tay Keith, F*** these N***** up!” I’m no Recording Academy, but I’d like to thank Tay Keith for what he did for rap, what he did for Memphis, and what he did for the State of Tennessee. He singlehandedly held my youth together with his expertly crafted beats that left me with no choice other than to bob my head.
One of my favorite songs that Tay Keith produced is “Russian Cream” by Key Glock. When you hear the beginning ominous piano notes and then are bombarded by hi-hats that start Tay Keith’s signature relaxed, yet heavy hitting trap beats, you have no choice other than to screw up your face and nod along. It’s a sound that isn’t contained by state lines. I think the first time I heard Russian Cream was before I even moved to Nashville, in some club in Nassau. Even thousands of miles away, even though I didn’t know it then, the Memphis sound was infecting me.
Tay Keith passed away at 29 in Nashville on June 18, 2026. Death is always jarring, but when it’s someone who is attached to so many memories for all of us, I’m sure, and at such a young age, it really puts things into perspective. What lives on after you is not only what you did, but who you are, and everyone only has such kind things to say about Tay Keith.
Tay Keith may have passed, but his legacy lives on through his beats, through his demeanor, and through his city, Memphis.
