We’re sending love and condolences to the family and loved ones of hip hop legend, DJ Kay Slay, at this time. The former radio personality and well-respected DJ passed away Sunday, April 17, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Covid-19. He was only 55 years old.
According to TMZ, DJ Kay Slay’s family released the following statement shortly after his passing:
“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay.
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.”
DJ Kay Slay was diagnosed with Covid-19 in December 2021. After being hospitalized for months, he’d shown signs of recovery. But sadly, his condition eventually took a turn for the worse, and his loved ones soon realized he was having a difficult time getting his health back in order.
As you all know, DJ Kay Slay, whose affectionately know to his loved ones as Dez, made a huge impact on the hip hop game, first starting as a graffiti artist in the ’70s and ’80s.
He later implanted his imprint in music in the early 2000’s as a radio personality, and he even dabbled in rapping for a while. He also made a splash with his in-demand Straight Stuntin’ Magazine, which covered the hip hop culture, and video vixen models.
Later, he became the man in the mixtape industry beginning in the 2003 — working with many artists such as, Nas, Swizz Beatz, N.O.R.E., Raekwon, Lloyd Banks and Foxy Brown — all the way up to just before he’d been inflicted with COVID in 2021.
His “Streetsweeper” mixtape series also dominated the game years ago, just as his recurring “Drama Hour” radio spot on New York’s Hot 97 did at that time, before he’d made his presence known as a personality on Eminem’s Shade 45 Sirius XM satellite station. Additionally, known for his famous disses on his tracks, The New York Times once dubbed Kay Slay as “Hip-Hop’s One-Man Ministry of Insults.”
In 2020, DJ Kay Slay yet again earned the respect of his peers and fans alike, with the release of his album, “Living Legends.” on In particular, the title track, of the same name, had fans big-uppin’ him for pulling Queen Latifah out of ‘rap retirement’ so to speak, when he featured the Queen along with legends, Jadakiss, and Bun B on the track, “Living Legends (shown above).” By December 2021, Kay Slay’s last album, “The Soul Controller,” set the industry on fire and featured legends like Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Too Short, Fat Joe, and The Game.
DJ Kay Slay will forever be missed. Rest on king.
