Tay Keith Honored With Memphis Day, Key To City & Music Lab
Tay Keith’s legacy continues to live on in the Memphis community that helped shape him into one of hip-hop’s most successful producers.
The Grammy-nominated producer, artist and humanitarian received a posthumous honor from the City of Memphis this week. The city proclaimed his birthday as Tay Keith Day. Officials also presented his family with the keys to the City of Memphis.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tay Keith drew major inspiration from the city’s culture and musical history. His production eventually took the Memphis sound to audiences around the world. His work with some of music’s biggest stars also made him one of the most recognizable producers of his generation.
The new honors come alongside an initiative that will keep his influence alive among young Memphis creatives.
Tay Keith Music Lab Opens In Memphis
The Memphis Public Libraries have partnered with the Keith family to launch the Tay Keith Music Lab.
The music production room at Cloud901 now carries Tay Keith’s name. The project comes through a multi-year partnership between the library system and the Tay Keith Legacy Foundation.
Cloud901 gives young people opportunities to explore technology and creativity. Teens can also learn about digital media and other creative fields. The new Tay Keith Music Lab will focus on music production.
Young people can learn how to create beats and experiment with different sounds. They can also develop their own production skills and artistic voices.
The space creates a full-circle moment for Tay Keith.
Before he became a producer behind major worldwide hits, he was a young Memphis creative. He spent years developing his sound and working toward a career in music.
Now, another generation of Memphis teenagers can use a dedicated production space that carries his name.
“We are honored to dedicate our Cloud901 music production lab to Tay Keith,” said Dr. Eric D. Harris, Memphis Public Libraries Director. “What better way to honor the legacy of a beloved Memphian and his timeless work than with a space that gives teens the freedom to find their own voices.”
Memphis Mayor Paul Young also highlighted the importance of investing in young people.
“The funding of this music lab is an investment in the next generation of Memphis talent and a fitting tribute to Tay Keith,” Young said. “His legacy will live on by giving young people the tools and space to create, learn, and build their own future in Music.”
Tay Keith Legacy Initiative Includes Several Programs
The Tay Keith Music Lab represents one part of the larger Tay Keith Legacy Initiative.
The initiative will include several programs focused on education, preservation and storytelling.
One program is Tay Keith Beat Making 101. Memphis Public Libraries will develop the music-production curriculum through Cloud901’s existing music education program.
The curriculum will teach young people the fundamentals of beat-making and music production. Students can experiment with different sounds and develop their own production styles.
The initiative will also establish the Tay Keith Collection.
Memphis Public Libraries will work with Tay Keith’s family and people connected to his life and career. Together, they will create a permanent archival collection.
The collection may include photographs, handwritten notes, studio materials and awards. It may also include correspondence, memorabilia and other items from his career.
The archive will preserve Tay Keith’s story as part of the history of Memphis and Shelby County.
Another component is Tay Keith in 901Voices.
Family members and others who knew the producer will participate in Memphis Public Libraries’ 901Voices oral-history initiative. Their recordings will become part of the library’s digital archive.
Future generations will then have an opportunity to hear personal stories about Tay Keith from people who knew him.
These programs will help preserve his legacy beyond his music.
Tay Keith Helped Take Memphis Sound Worldwide
Tay Keith, born Brytavious Keith Chambers, became one of the most influential producers in modern hip-hop.
His breakthrough came through his work with fellow Memphis rapper BlocBoy JB and Drake on “Look Alive.”
The 2018 hit became a major commercial success. It also introduced Tay Keith’s production style to listeners around the world.
He soon followed that success with an even bigger run of records.
Tay Keith produced Drake’s “Nonstop,” which became another major hit. He also received production credit on Travis Scott and Drake’s massive “SICKO MODE.”
“SICKO MODE” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song.
The song became one of hip-hop’s defining records of the late 2010s. It also established Tay Keith as a major force behind the boards.
His production credits later expanded to include artists such as Beyoncé, Eminem, Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj. He also worked with Yo Gotti, Blac Youngsta, Moneybagg Yo and Sexyy Red.
Tay Keith also continued working with artists connected to Memphis and the surrounding Southern hip-hop scene.
His connection to Memphis remained strong as his career became increasingly global.
Tay Keith Built A Career Beyond Production
Tay Keith’s influence extended beyond producing hit records.
He also became an entrepreneur and founded his own record label, DRUMATIZED. Through his business ventures, he worked to create opportunities for artists and other creatives.
The music industry also recognized his accomplishments.
Tay Keith received Producer of the Year honors at the 2024 BMI Awards. That marked his third win in the category.
He also became one of the youngest producers nominated for a Grammy.
Beyond music, Tay Keith invested in several businesses. He continued expanding his entrepreneurial interests while building his reputation in the entertainment industry.
His career showed how a producer could build an identity beyond production credits. He became an artist, entrepreneur and mentor while continuing to represent Memphis.
That makes the new Music Lab especially fitting.
His Legacy Will Inspire Future Memphis Producers
The Tay Keith Music Lab offers more than a place to remember his accomplishments.
It gives young Memphis creatives a place to begin their own journeys.
A teenager interested in producing can enter a library space carrying Tay Keith’s name. They can learn the basics of beat-making and experiment with creating music.
The same city that influenced Tay Keith can now give future producers the tools to develop their own voices.
The archival collection and 901Voices initiative will also connect his personal story to Memphis history.
The Tay Keith family said the partnership will keep his memory and work alive. It will also connect his legacy to future generations of DJs, producers and music moguls.
The family added that Tay Keith would have been proud of the community effort. They also emphasized his long-standing commitment to young Memphis creatives.
His story began in Memphis. His music eventually reached audiences around the world.
Records such as “Look Alive,” “Nonstop” and “SICKO MODE” helped establish Tay Keith as a major producer. His work with Memphis artists also kept him connected to the city that raised him.
Now, Memphis is keeping his name connected to the future of its music scene.
Tay Keith Day and the key to the City of Memphis recognize his accomplishments. The Tay Keith Music Lab takes that recognition even further.
It gives young people an opportunity to create something of their own.
His music helped shape a generation.
Now, the next generation of Memphis creators will have a space to shape what comes next.
The post Tay Keith posthumously receives his own day in Memphis, key to the city, music lab and more appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.
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