Tay Keith Dead at 29: Producer Behind “Sicko Mode” Found in Nashville Apartment

Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer Tay Keith, the mastermind behind some of the biggest beats of the modern era, has died at just 29 years old. Metro Nashville Police confirmed that officers found the producer, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers- unresponsive in his Nashville apartment on Thursday afternoon during a welfare check. Authorities confirmed that no foul play is suspected in the Tay Keith death, though the cause remains “unclassified” pending autopsy results.

Born in South Memphis, Keith’s musical journey began at 14, uploading homemade beats to YouTube and DatPiff after teaching himself piano by recreating tracks like Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop”. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Management from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2018, the same year his career exploded into the mainstream.

It was 2018 that permanently etched his name into hip-hop history. He co-produced BlocBoy JB’s “Look Alive” featuring Drake, followed by Drake’s “Nonstop,” and then the undeniable anthem “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott. The track earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards and eventually reached rare diamond status. In 2024, he earned a second Grammy nomination for Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex”.

Keith’s production credits read like a who’s who of the industry. He worked with Eminem on “Not Alike,” produced a bonus track for Beyoncé’s “Homecoming: The Live Album,” and collaborated with Lil Baby, Gunna, and 21 Savage. He also played a pivotal role in the rise of Sexyy Red, producing her breakout 2023 hit “Pound Town” and its follow-ups, including “Pound Town 2” and “Get It Sexyy”.

His accolades include being named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year three times, most recently in 2024 for his work on Drake’s “First Person Shooter” and Sexyy Red’s “SkeeYee”. At 29, Tay Keith had already earned 11 top-ten hits and a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2025. His sudden and tragic death leaves a massive void in the soundscape of modern hip-hop.