New York radio DJ and hip-hop staple, DJ Kay Slay, has passed away on Easter Sunday at 55 years old after a four-month battle with COVID-19. Born Keith Grayson, the known to many as the “Drama King” was a radio host with Hot97 and Shade 45, and CEO/Owner of Straight Stuntin Mag.
Kay Slay was a champion for bars and real emceeing releasing tracks like “110 Rolling Deep”, “50 Rolling Deep” and “Back to the Bars” featuring the most iconic lyricists in hip-hop history, including Jadakiss, Raekwon and Joell Ortiz.
He crossed generations and stayed relevant releasing new material consistently in recent years, including his 2021 album Accolodes, featuring Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Dave East, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah.
His family remembers the legacy of Kay Slay in an official statement released today.
“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay. A dominant figure in hip-hop culture with millions of fans worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will transcend generations. In memory of DJ Kay Slay, our family wishes to thank all his friends, fans and supporters for their prayers and well wishes during this difficult time. We ask that you respect our privacy as we grieve this tragic loss.”
Some of the culture finest also took to social media to react to his passing.
Rest in Power big bro. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. Travel well my old friend. My condolences to his family and other friends hurting right now. #DjKaySlay #Harlem pic.twitter.com/M7BFnG62iH
— Immortal Technique (@ImmortalTech) April 18, 2022
???? ?? ????? ?? ? ?????, #DJKaySlay ??? pic.twitter.com/WUATLWatJI
— PUBLIC ENEMY (@PublicEnemyFTP) April 18, 2022
It’s a bunch of fake ass fraud people running around the culture and DJ KAY SLAY was the total opposite! Real as they come. Rest in Paradise my brother.
— CROOK (@CrookedIntriago) April 18, 2022
Woke up to the awful news that we lost DJ Kay Slay. The man was the human embodiment of hip hop. Graf legend, DJ legend, mixtape legend … so unique, so iconic ,.. when I first got to @hot97 — working with Slay was one of the things that made me so proud to be here .. RIP..
— Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) April 18, 2022
Our condolences to the family and friends of Keith Grayson, aka “The Drama King”, DJ Kay Slay.
SHIFTER Staff
Related content:
