The passing of Tay Keith earlier this month continues to draw heartfelt tributes from across the hip-hop community, but no one has felt the loss more deeply than his family and close friends. On Thursday (June 25), they gathered in the Raleigh neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee—his hometown—for a candlelight vigil in his honor.
“We thank each and every one of you all for being out here,” one family member told the crowd.
Action News 5 spoke with the late producer’s aunt and uncle, who reflected on his life, accomplishments, and lasting impact.
“We’re really doing this for the death of our nephew,” his aunt said, admitting the family is still struggling to process the loss. “It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time, we appreciate everybody for coming out and celebrating with us.”
His uncle remembered Tay Keith as an exceptional person, highlighting both his character and academic achievements.
“He was a phenomenal human being,” he said, later noting that Keith earned two degrees from Middle Tennessee State University in 2018. “He was kind, he was intelligent. I would say even brilliant. He was the first one in our family to actually go to college and graduate with a degree.”
Another loved one spoke about the producer’s willingness to support others throughout his career.
“He done helped a lot of young entrepreneurs and artists reach their destiny,” they said. “Like, he took chances on that other people wouldn’t take… So long live Tay Keith. May his legacy live on.”
According to his family, Tay Keith remained humble and generous despite his success, always looking for ways to uplift those around him.
As the vigil came to a close, attendees released balloons into the sky while chanting, “Long live Tay Keith!”
For those unfamiliar with the situation, police discovered Tay Keith unresponsive in his Nashville apartment on June 18 after conducting a wellness check. Authorities have not yet announced an official cause of death.
In the days since his passing, the hip-hop community has poured out tributes, with heartfelt messages from Drake, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, BlocBoy JB, Tyler, The Creator, and countless others. Friends, collaborators, fans, and fellow artists have celebrated his incredible decade-long run, which helped shape modern hip-hop through hits like “Look Alive,” “Nonstop,” and “SICKO MODE,” as well as standout records including “Don’t Come Out The House,” “Pound Town,” “Not Alike,” “Push Ups,” “Family Matters,” “First Person Shooter,” and many more.
Beyond his impressive catalog, those who knew Tay Keith best remember him as a kind, dedicated, and generous person who consistently gave back to his community and supported up-and-coming artists in achieving their dreams. His impact on music—and the people around him—will continue to be felt for years to come.
Rest in peace, Tay Keith.
