Pioneering hip hop artist DJ Kay Slay, who labored with prime stars all through his profession, has died following a battle with COVID-19. He was 55.
The HOT 97 host, whose actual identify is Keith Grayson, died on Easter Sunday, his household confirmed in an announcement via the New York radio station, the place he hosted “The Drama Hour” for greater than twenty years.
“Our hearts are damaged,” the family said in a statement to the outlet. “A dominant determine in Hip Hop tradition with thousands and thousands of followers worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will probably be remembered for his ardour and excellence with a legacy that can transcend generations.”
The assertion added: “In reminiscence of DJ Kay Slay, our household needs to thank all of his mates, followers, and supporters for his or her prayers and nicely needs throughout this troublesome time. We ask that you simply respect our privateness as we grieve this tragic loss.”
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DJ Kay Slay’s demise comes 4 months after his battle with COVID-19 started, based on People and the New York Post.
His longtime pal and veteran hip hop promoter Van Silk spoke to HipHopDX on Monday about DJ Kay Slay’s demise.
“Hip Hop misplaced an actual gem. My expensive brother is gone. I’ve recognized him since he was 16 years previous. He was my little brother. I launched him to many and we did quite a lot of issues collectively,” he informed the outlet. “We final talked December as a result of we had been ending up the 200 rolling deep undertaking. He was gonna do his video half with MC Sha-Rock.”
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Silk added: “From the mixtapes to serving to him launch Straight Stuntin‘ journal and the entire What The Science undertaking, the world not solely misplaced an actual devoted particular person to the tradition of Hip Hop however a supply of bridging the hole in Hip Hop. I’m gonna miss my little brother.”
DJ Kay Slay’s different longtime pal, artist supervisor Wack 100 posted a tribute to him on Instagram. “2 Many years of friendship. Main contribution to my progress and networking. An enormous brother , pal , enterprise associate & mentor,” he wrote. “I didn’t lose you bro you informed me you’d at all times be with me so Ive gained a non secular advisor.”
Grayson grew up in Harlem, immersed in New York Metropolis’s early hip hop scene. He bought his begin as a teenage graffiti artist and was featured within the 1983 hip hop documentary “Type Wars.”
He started promoting bootleg mixtapes on road corners within the early ’90s and launched his first studio album, “The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1,” in Could 2003. Grayson launched a number of extra albums and labored with the likes of Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes.
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In 2019, DJ Kay Slay told Forbes he did not actually got down to be a DJ. “It was simply one thing to do this was enjoyable and that I loved doing,” he mentioned.
All through DJ Kay Slay’s profession, he additionally grew to become head of artists and repertoire for Shaquille O’Neal’s label DEJA34, the A&R of Ray J’s 2008 album “All I Really feel,” and the CEO of Straight Stuntin’ Journal, based on HOT 97. He’s additionally credited for uniting NYC rivals Fats Joe and 50 Cent in his 2014 single “Free Once more.”
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Contributing: Related Press