It’s with a heavy heart that I report DJ Kay Slay has passed away.
The legendary New York City deejay and graffiti writer, whose real name is Keith Grayson, transitioned to his heavenly home on Easter Sunday (April 17) after a four-month battle with COVID-19.
He was 55.
Kay Slay’s passing was confirmed by his longtime friend and Hip Hop promoter Van Silk.
In a statement to Hip Hop DX, Van said:
Hip Hop lost a real gem.
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 of things together. We last talked December because we were finishing up the 200 rolling deep project.
He was gonna do his video part with MC Sha-Rock.
From the mixtapes to helping him launch Straight Stuntin‘ magazine and the whole What The Science project, the world not only lost a real dedicated person to the culture of Hip Hop but a source of bridging the gap in Hip Hop.
I’m gonna miss my little brother.
DJ Kay Slay was hospitalized in December 2021 with COVID-19.
We previously reported Wack 100 took to social media to solicit prayers for him saying that it was “not looking good.”
However, Kay Slay’s brother, Kwame Grayson, said that wasn’t the case and offered a more positive assessment of his brother’s health challenge.
He’s definitely not going to die. That right there…I’m not going to lie, I was jumping around. I was definitely happy.
Kay Slay is a private dude and he didn’t tell anybody in the hospital who he was, and we was kinda getting average treatment. When they found out who he was, that’s when everybody stepped up treatment.
He was slowly fading away, but God didn’t let that happen. Everything in time and when they found out who he was, they got him powered up again.
So he’s up and going. He’s like in a recovery state, but he’s definitely not going to die. You can trust me on that.
As the news of DJ Kay Slay’s passing people took to social media to offer their condolences, tributes, and to pay their respects to another legend lost.
LL Cool J wrote:
Such a real one. So solid. Rest in power King. I’m gonna miss you B. ????????????????#ripdjkayslay
Redman wrote:
K Slay!!
Welcome Home Brother!!
God is Great and he has the plan.
Dante Ross wrote:
Rest Easy King Dez aka Spade TDS aka DJ Kay Slay a legend in two games: graffiti and DJaying.
F Covid. Rest In Power
Termanology wrote:
R.I.P. DJ KAY SLAY!!!! WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW MUCH OF A LEGEND HE WAS AND WHAT HE MEANT TO OUR CULTURE!!!! ????????????????????????
Statik Selektah wrote:
I have so much to say. So many stories. This weeks ShowOff Radio will be special. RIP Kay Slay.
See the original posts below.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and fans of DJ Kay Slay.
May he rest in peace.
