Host, DJ and hip-hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay has died

Keith Grayson, also known as DJ Kay Slay, passed away on Easter Sunday (April 17, 2022) at the age of 55. “Slay had been through a four-month battle with Covid-19,” his family said in the statement confirming his death. At the end of December, the former Hot97 presenter was hospitalized due to a corona disease. Most recently, his brother Kwame Grayson said Kay Slay was on the mend.

“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, known professionally as DJ Kay Slay,” the family said. “As a dominant figure in hip-hop culture with millions of fans worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence, leaving a legacy that will last for generations. In memory of DJ Kay Slay, our family would like to thank all his friends, fans and supporters for their prayers and well wishes at this difficult time. We ask that you respect our privacy as we mourn this tragic loss.”

Hip-hop jack of all trades and king of drama

Keith Grayson was born on August 14, 1966 and grew up in Harlem. He came into contact with hip-hop at an early age, was active as a b-boy and graffiti artist in his youth and appeared in the hip-hop documentary “Style Wars” in 1983. Kay Slay first sold bootleg mixtapes on New York street corners before eventually becoming one of the big names on the mixtape scene in the early 2000s.

He called himself the Drama King and fueled the legendary rap feuds between Jay-Z vs. Nas or 50 Cent and Ja Rule with his mixtapes. Kay Slay also hosted a late-night show called “The Drama Hour” on Hot 97 for more than 20 years. Through his work as a DJ and through his mixtapes, he promoted young artists and crews from New York such as Papoose or the Diplomats and G unit.

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