Pioneering hip hop artist Keith Grayson, who performed as DJ Kay Slay and worked with top stars, has died of complications from COVID-19.
Grayson’s death at age 55 on Sunday was confirmed by his family in a statement released through New York radio station HOT 97, where he hosted The Drama Hour┬аfor more than two decades.
“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,” the family statement said.┬а
Grayson grew up in Harlem, immersed in New York City’s early hip hop scene. He got his start as a teenage graffiti artist and was featured in the 1983 hip hop documentary Style Wars.┬а
He began selling bootleg mixtapes on street corners in the early ’90s and released his first studio album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1,┬аin May 2003.
Grayson released several more albums and worked with the likes of Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes.┬а
“Hot 97 is shocked and saddened by the loss of our beloved DJ Kay Slay,” the station said in a statement.
A Word From The HOT 97 Family: ?я╕П<br><br>RIP DJ Kay Slay <a href=”https://t.co/TawxjRSSRh”>pic.twitter.com/TawxjRSSRh</a>
—@HOT97
