NEW YORK – Pioneering hip-hop artist Keith Grayson, who introduced himself as DJ Kay Slay and works with top stars, has died from complications from COVID-19.
Grayson’s death at the age of 55 on Sunday was confirmed by his family in a statement released by New York’s HOT 97 radio station, which hosted Drama Hour for more than two decades.
“A dominant figure in hip hop culture with millions of fans around the world, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a heritage that will transcend generations,” the family said in a statement.
Grayson grew up in Harlem, immersed in the early hip-hop scene of New York. He began as a teenage graffiti artist and starred in the 1983 hip-hop documentary “Style Wars.”
He began selling illegal mixtapes on the streets in the early 1990s and released his first studio album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1, in May 2003. Grayson released several more albums and worked with people like Nas, Kendrick Lamar. Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes.
“Hot 97 are shocked and saddened by the loss of our favorite DJ Kay Slay,” the station said in a statement.
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