New York hip-hop influencer and graffiti artist DJ Kay Slay died on Easter Sunday at the age of 55 after a harrowing four-month battle with COVID-19.
The tragic death of the pioneering MC referee was confirmed to the Post in a statement from his family.
“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, known professionally as DJ Kay Slay,” the Grayson family wrote in a touching tribute. “DJ Kay Slay is a dominant figure in hip-hop culture with millions of fans worldwide and will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will last for generations.”
They continued, “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.”
New York hip-hop star and graffiti artist DJ Kay Slay died on Easter Sunday at the age of 55 after a harrowing four-month battle with COVID-19.WireImage
Grayson had reportedly succumbed to complications from COVID-19 after being hospitalized with the disease and put on a ventilator in December, The Sun reported.
New York hip-hop radio station Hot 97 also honored the rapper in a statement to The Post, writing, “Hot 97 is shocked and saddened by the loss of our beloved DJ Kay Slay. We cherish the many memories he has made over the twenty years he has devoted to The Drama Hour. “
DJ Kay Slay had reportedly succumbed to complications from COVID-19 after being hospitalized with the disease and put on a ventilator in December. WireImage,
A week before his death, Wack 100 had revealed on Instagram that the musician was “still struggling” and needed all the prayers he could get.
“He has now been off the #ECMO device for a few weeks,” they wrote, “let’s continue our prayers as our brother fights on.”
Born on August 14, 1966 in New York City, Grayson began his career as a graffiti artist and has performed hip hop in his spare time. During this time, he notably starred in the 1983 hip-hop documentary Style Wars.
Despite his talent for the art form, the rapper initially had no plans to become a DJ.
“It was just doing something that was fun and I loved doing it,” Grayson said in a 2019 interview with Forbes.
Grayson, nicknamed Dez, released his flagship album The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 in 2003.WireImage
That changed when Grayson, known by the nickname Dez, released his flagship album The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 in 2003. The prolific rap artist would go on to create five more studio albums during his career: The Streetsweeper, Vol 2″, “More Than Just a DJ”, “The Big Brother”, “Hip Hop Frontline” and “The Soul Controller”.
In his last Instagram post in January, Grayson promoted the single “In My Soul,” which he collaborated on with artists Tre Williams, Papoose and AZ.
Grayson is perhaps best known for his relentless commitment to maintaining hip-hop’s integrity rather than catering to the ever-changing tastes of the masses. Dez was also known for his diss-laden mixtapes, which earned him the nickname “Hip-Hop’s One-Man Ministry of Insults” by the New York Times.
“Hip hop has lost a real gem,” rap promoter Van Silk told WireImage
The hip-hop community mourned the late lyricist
“Hip-hop has lost a real gem,” rap promoter Van Silk, who originally reported the rapper’s death, told Hip-Hop DX. “My dear brother is gone. I’ve known him since he was 16 years old. He was my little brother. I introduced him to many and we did a lot together. We last chatted in December because we were in the process of completing the 200 Rolling Deep project. He wanted to do his video part with MC Sha-Rock.”
He added, “From the mixtapes to helping launch Straight Stuntin’ magazine and the entire What The Science project, not only has the world lost a truly committed person to hip-hop culture, it has lost it a source to bridge the gap in hip hopping. I will miss my little brother.”
DJ Kay Slay was known for his dedication to maintaining the integrity of hip hip.WireImage
“As a cultural icon, Kay Slay was more than just a DJ, to us he was family and an important part of what made Hot 97 the successful station it is today,” they added. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans worldwide and we will always and forever celebrate the Drama King’s legacy.”
“Rest Easy King Dez aka Spade TDS aka DJ Kay Slay a legend in two games: graffiti and DJaying”, wrote rapper Dante Ross on Twitter. “F Covid. rest in power.”
DJ Kay Slay attends the 2014 Global Spin Awards on New World Stages on November 18, 2014 in New York City. Getty Images
DJ Kay Slay was also a prominent graffiti artist.Instagram / @djkayslay