This article was originally published on Vibe.com
“Tay Keith, fuck these ni**as up” is not just a catchy producer tag; it’s a forewarning of the musicianship to follow. His signature line launched a slew of chart-topping singles, grimy deep cuts, and addictive bass lines on songs for the likes of Travis Scott, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Key Glock, and Sexyy Red. Tay Keith was behind the hits and stands as one of the most lauded producers of the streaming era, shaping modern-day hip-hop.
Unfortunately, 29-year-old’s promising career suffered a tragic end. On Thursday (June 18), he was found dead in his Nashville apartment after a welfare check by local law enforcement, who confirmed “his death is unclassified pending autopsy results” with no foul play suspected.
Expanding on sounds pioneered by his Memphis predecessors, such as Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, Tay Keith carved his own lane. Born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, the Grammy-nominated producer began experimenting with his artistry as a teenager. His breakthrough arrived when his 2017 BlocBoy JB collab “Shoot” traveled beyond “Bluff City” and Tennessee’s borders. In 2018, the duo then linked up with Drake, who at the time reigned as commercial rap’s effective King Midas, giving the producer his first mainstream hit while officially ushering in the age of Tay Keith.
Since then, the late beatmaker has been instrumental in some of hip-hop’s biggest moments. Garnering the respect of singers, rappers, and producers alike, he rightfully earned his place as one of the industry’s most in-demand creatives. Tay Keith founded his own record label, DRUMATIZED, to serve artists in the hip-hop and country music spaces. He also advocated for music education through initiatives at his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University.
While it’s impossible to distill his legacy into a compact list, we’ve compiled the 10 essential Tay Keith-produced songs that showcase his excellence. Showcasing a range of hit records, deep cuts, and everything in between, this collection highlights his musical instinct, versatility, and lasting impact.
Tay Keith and BlocBoy JB, one of his earliest collaborators, came up together as eager teenagers looking to find their footing in Memphis. In 2018, BlocBoy JB teamed up with Drake for “Look Alive” with Tay Keith on the beat and Memphis on the forefront. With menacing keys and a knocking bass, the rappers flow effortlessly on the intentionally simple instrumental.
“It was crazy, I made the beat in like 30 minutes,” the producer told Hype Beast. “I made it on FL, Fruity Loops 11 to be exact. I didn’t think nothing of it. It had the kind of similar sound of the Memphis bounce to it, like old Three 6 Mafia but with that new 808 sound. I added the creepy piano sound, a kind of melodic new wave that I’m making. That sound is going to be a new wave for sure. I didn’t think nothing of [the beat] but it opened up the doors for me to branch out with different sounds that I’ve been doing already.”
Other essential tracks from the rapper/producer duo include “Rover,” “Day Day n Craig,” “Shoot,” and “Rich Off Pain.”
2018 was a busy year for Tay Keith, and one of his biggest moments came from Travis $cott and Drake’s “SICKO MODE” from Scott’s Grammy-nominated ASTROWORLD. Familiarizing a new generation of rap fans with the beat switch, the anthem features a production team that includes Hit-Boy, OZ, CuBeatz, Allen Ritter, and Travis Scott. However, the familiar “Tay Keith f**k these ni**as up” sounds off in the track’s third section and is the most memorable part of the song.
The party essentially moves from the flashy club interior to the moody parking lot post-up after the bouncers clear each section. Drake gets greasy over Tay Keith’s crisp, hard-hitting drum patterns. Climaxing the anticipation built by the first two segments’ energy, the track slowly fades out, setting up the perfect opportunity to run it back.
Key Glock and Tay Keith essentially serve as mutual muses, often creating their best work together. With tracks like “Since 6ix” and “Ambition For Cash” in their joint discography, 2018’s “Russian Cream” is their first official collaboration. A gloomy piano melody loops in the background of the track, amplified by a rolling bass, creating a haunting, hypnotic trap classic. Key Glock’s self-assured raps fit perfectly in every pocket stitched by his self-described “favorite producer.”
Not only did “Russian Cream” propel Key Glock’s career, but it also provided a generation with a trunk-knocking banger that inspired more than one take. Megan Thee Stallion added a Houston spin to the Memphis rapper’s breakout track, riding the beat to superstar status.
Tay Keith often locked in with rappers beyond their first collab, developing a distinct sound for each act, and this took Sexyy Red from internet gimmick to chart success. As their first official collaboration, “Pound Town” claims both musicians’ first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as leading artists after Nicki Minaj added a verse for a part two. The relaxed BPM, anchored by deep 808s paired with fast hi-hats, builds a playground for the St. Louis rapper to swing between shock-and-awe bars.
The pair have several tracks together, with their creative partnership a key element in her biggest moments. Fans of the crass, yet catchy performer have the work on “Pound Town” to thank for songs such as “SkeeYee,” “Get It Sexy,” “I Don’t Wanna Be Saved,” and “Hang Wit a Bad Bitch” (feat. Key Glock), just to name a few.
“People were trolling the s–t out of me,” he explained to Billboard. “They were real-deal trolling me. It wasn’t much good feedback. It was coming from even people around me, ‘What you doing?’ I saw the potential. That’s as simple as it was, me believing in her.”
Tay Keith built his brand as a pioneer of modern trap production, but his multifaceted talent was not confined. With an ambitious remake of Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Before I Let Go,” Beyoncé called on Tay Keith to reimagine the classic. Co-produced with Queen Bey and Derek Dixie, the dance-ready track deviated from the eerie, evocative Memphis horrorcore-grounded beats he stamped. Still, the R&B track undeniably oozes Tay Keith’s touch. He merged southern Black musical styles with multiple samples and contemporary drums, uniting generations of line dancers in one groove.
“Basically, I had made the sample beat, and I decided to put another sample in the background of it,” he shared with Revolt. “It was a day process. It didn’t take 24 hours, but it took a whole day to get everything how I wanted it.”
“In The Air” by Rico Nasty and BlocBoy JB stands out in Tay Keith’s catalog for incorporating the Maryland-bred rapper’s alternative punk style with his trademark trap technique. The high-energy track is aggressive yet playful and makes expert use of an electric guitar sample, an instrument not heard frequently in the Memphis producer’s collection. It is not just another example of Tay Keith and BlocBoy JB’s homegrown synastry; it also demonstrates his limitless ear.
While most of the world became aware of Tay Keith’s genius in 2018, he garnered a strong audience of listeners and rappers across Tennessee by 2017, including frequent collaborators Starlito and Don Trip. On “SW4,” Tay Keith operates as a composer, setting the scene for the two rappers’ cinematic narration. The repetitive melody leaves room for every diss, boast, or threat from the rap duo to be heard loud and clear. The production is intense and focused with a grittiness native to Memphis-style hip-hop.
“SW4” was not the first time the trio merged, and it was also not the last. Another standout from their collaborative efforts arrived in 2025 on “The Tay Keith Song.” The melody remains consistent for the entire track, and at just over two minutes, it is a full display of what all three do best.
Tay Keith and Metro Boomin established themselves as a premier production duo when they came together for “Don’t Come Out The House.” Oftentimes, co-produced tracks leave room to the imagination for who did what; however, in this standout, both millennial icons have a clear point of view echoed through every drum.
The yin and yang found in 21 Savage’s menacing whispers over the bass and drums, derivative of Tay Keith’s style, and his stark threats over Metro Boomin’s familiar keys create atmospheric success. While the entire song is under three minutes long, it sets up a full story, taking listeners down an ominous path from beginning to end, not only in the lyrics but also in the stripped-down beat. The ardent instrumental and violent rhymes beg to be put on repeat.
Much like his longstanding working relationships with BlocBoy JB and Sexyy Red, Tay Keith also had a similar footing with Drake, providing the soundscape for some of the 6 God’s slickest sneak disses. While the two have many standout tracks, such as “Rich Flex,” “Family Matters,” and “First Person Shooter,” “Nonstop” is foundational to Tay Keith’s nearly decade-long domination.
Co-produced with No ID, Drake weaves through the Memphis-grounded beat with ease. With no bells or whistles, the minimalistic production does not rely on a big moment to earn its on-repeat status. A piano loop and heavy 808 generated a stripped-down club banger synonymous with Tay Keith’s name.
“FEIGNING” offers a softer take on Tay Keith’s signature trap audio aesthetic. Coproduced with Grayson Beatz, the track is laid back compared to his other bass-thumping, suspenseful works. While it does not have the same mainstream success as some of Gunna’s other songs, the production transports listeners to a trippy yet relaxed environment, not too calm to sleep on.
Honorable Mentions: “Shine Together” by EST Gee and “Moncler” by Bankroll Freddie.
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