DJ Kay Slay, whose real name was Keith Grayson, was 55 years old, NME reported.
His family and radio station Hot 97 confirmed his death. DJ Kay Slay had a show “The Drama Hour” on Hot 97 for more than two decades, WPIX reported.
The Grayson family released a statement to Hot 97, saying:
“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. In memory of DJ Kay Slay, our family wishes to thank all of his friends, fans, and supporters for their prayers and well wishes during this difficult time. We ask that you respect our privacy as we grieve this tragic loss.”
The radio station said DJ Kay Slay was “a vital part of what made HOT 97 the successful station it is today.”
Grayson was known as “Drama King” and died on Sunday, Vibe reported.
DJ Kay Slay got his start as a graffiti artist under the tag “Dez.” His rise to fame was documented in the 1983 documentary “Style Wars,” Hot 97 reported. He started using the monkier “Kay Slay” in the late 1990s when producing mixtapes. He signed a record deal with Columbia Records, releasing his first album “The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1″ in 2003, which got all the way to No. 4 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Vibe reported.
The follow-up album, “The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2″ came out in 2004 and made it to No. 10.
Over his career, DJ Kay Slay worked with top hip-hop artists such as Nas, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and Foxy Brown, according to Hot 97.
His most recent album, “The Soul Controller,” was released in December, just before he was hospitalized, VIBE reported.
DJ Kay Slay FILE PHOTO: DJ Kay Slay poses for a photo an MTV event on July 24, 2007 in New York City. He died at the age of 55 after a months-long battle with COVID-19. (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years DK Kay Slay at the 'Violator The Album V2.0' album release party at the Hudson Hotel in New York City. 7/12/01 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years (l to r) Eric Micks, Red Cafe, Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob, Chris Lighty, Jojo Pellegrino, and DJ Kay Slay at the 'Violator The Album V2.0' album release party at the Hudson Hotel in New York City. 7/12/01 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years DJ Kay Slay poses for a photo during MTV's Sucker Free at the MTV Times Square Studios on July 24, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years DJ Kay Slay visits 106 & Park at BET studio on June 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET) (Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Through the years Dj Kay Slay attends the 2014 Global Spin Awards at New World Stages on November 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images) (Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Through the years DJ Kay Slay attends a Hot 97 evet on October 18, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Through the years (L-R) Jack Thriller, Nya Lee, and DJ Kay Slay attend the Nya Lee "Trap Luv" Release Party at Hayatynyc on June 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Through the years (L-R) Wack 100, Blueface, and DJ Kay Slay attend the DJ Kay Slay "Hocus Pocus" Video Shoot Featuring A Boogie, Blueface & MoneyBagg Yo at Times Square on October 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Through the years (L-R) Dave East, Vado and DJ KaySlay attend the DJ KaySlay Album Listening Party at Quad Studios on June 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage,) (JN/WireImage,)
Through the years Papoose (L) and DJ KaySlay attend the DJ KaySlay Album Listening Party at Quad Studios on June 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage,) (JN/WireImage,)