Family, friends, and music industry stalwarts gathered at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee on June 30 to honor the life and legacy of BryTavious “Tay Keith” Chambers — who passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2026.
In attendance were key collaborators of Chambers like Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Murda Beatz. They were there to commemorate the Memphis hip-hop trailblazer, whose production elevated his hometown’s dynamic scene to a global stage, in turn shaping the sound of a generation. The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the profound impact Chambers had on the music industry and his local community.
In addition to central figures from the hip-hop and music industry community, local leaders were also in attendance, all of whom highlighted Chambers’s importance to the Memphis community, including State Representative Justin J. Pearson and Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who presented Chambers with an official proclamation celebrating his lasting impact on the city.
Following the indoor ceremony, Chambers’s friends and family gathered outside for a private burial and repast, where members of Drumatized — the independent record label and music boutique founded by Chambers — laid their friend and collaborator to rest.
A Lasting Legacy in Hip-Hop
Chambers was a prolific producer and artist, most known for producing Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” as well as being a key part of shaping Memphis rap’s resurgence in the late 2010s. His work with local stalwart BlocBoy JB and his subsequent collaborations with Drake on tracks like “Look Alive” and “Nonstop” solidified his status as a visionary.
In a 2018 interview with The FADER, Chambers spoke about his creative process and the seminal moment in his career. “He wanted that Memphis slap,” Chambers explained regarding his work with Drake. “You’ll go to Metro Boomin for this sound, or Pi’erre Bourne for this, or Zaytoven for his sound. It just so happened that the sound I’ve developed has the Memphis origins to it that made Drake want to work with it. I’ve just took the origins — with Three 6 Mafia and DJ Squeeky and them — and brought it back to life in a sense.”
Tay Keith’s last full-length project was his 2023 collaborative project with Lil Darius, Yung n Turnt. His family released a statement following his passing, noting that he was a “visionary producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural force” who remained deeply committed to mentoring young creatives and supporting his community.
