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DJ Kay Slay’s dying was introduced on Monday April 18. The hip hop star, whose actual identify was Keith Grayson, was 55-years-old. His household shared a press release saying the information of his passing through New York rap station Hot 97. “Our hearts are damaged by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally often called DJ Kay Slay. A dominant determine in Hip Hop tradition with hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will likely be remembered for his ardour and excellence with a legacy that may transcend generations. 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 just respect our privateness as we grieve this tragic loss,” they mentioned. Discover out extra about DJ Kay Slay right here.
1. Slay Was A DJ
As one may guess primarily based on his identify, DJ Kay Slay was a disc jockey. Rising up, he was influenced by the likes of Grandmaster Flash and different icons, though, he admitted that he didn’t plan on being one in a 2019 interview with Forbes. “I didn’t a lot got down to be a DJ,” he mentioned. “It was simply one thing to do this was enjoyable and that I loved doing.”
2. He was a graffiti artist
Whereas he was primarily recognized for his musical ventures, Slay was additionally a well-known and extremely regarded graffiti artist. “The Drama King,” as he was additionally nicknamed, was recognized for tagging issues together with his signature “DEZ” all through town earlier than kickstarting his profession as a DJ, per The New York Times. He was featured in documentaries about NYC graffiti like Type Wars and Wild Type.
3. He made numerous mixtapes
Maybe what earned him the nickname Drama King was the DJ’s tendency to compile huge mixtapes, a lot of which have been crammed with diss tracks with rappers taking pictures at each other. Whereas the mixtapes weren’t bought by means of many main shops, Slay did drop over 500 since starting his profession as a mixtape curator within the early 90s.
4. He collaborated with main rappers.
Mixtapes apart, Slay did launch a handful of albums, and lots of of them boasted a few of rap’s largest names. His 2003 debut The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 featured the likes of Eminem and Killer Mike. More moderen titles have featured stars like Kendrick Lamar on the 2017 observe “Chilly Summer season” or Snoop Dogg on 2021’s “The Jungle.”
5. He died from COVID issues
The DJ’s household introduced that he’d been hospitalized with COVID-19 in January 2022. On the time, his brother Kwame shared that he would have a while earlier than making his restoration in a press release to Hip Hop DX. “The docs advised us and mother that his eyes simply opened right now. It will likely be a very long time earlier than he’s launched from the hospital, however a very long time is best than no time,” he mentioned on the time.