Tay Keith’s Sudden Death: Tributes Pour In as Label Clarifies Royalty Dispute with Sexyy Red

Memphis producer Tay Keith, known for hits like “Sicko Mode” and “Pound Town,” passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 29. The Metro Nashville Police Department discovered him following a welfare check at his apartment, though the cause of death has not yet been released.

The news triggered an outpouring of grief from the music community, with artists like Sexyy Red, Moneybagg Yo, Gunna, and BlocBoy JB posting emotional tributes. Sexyy Red specifically called him her “brother,” stating, “Blood in blood out, we brothers but not related.”

Clarification on the Legal Dispute

Amid the condolences, reports surfaced regarding an unresolved financial dispute between Tay Keith and Sexyy Red’s label, Rebel Records.

The Lawsuit: In March 2026, Tay Keith filed a lawsuit claiming the label owed him royalties for 13 songs he produced for Sexyy Red in 2024, including the hit “Pound Town.” He alleged the label refused to provide financial accounting, blocking him from receiving his share of the millions generated by the tracks.

The Clarification: Tay Keith’s representative clarified that the lawsuit was directed strictly at the label, not Sexyy Red personally. They stated that Tay viewed Red as a sister and that the two had been working in the studio together as recently as the week before his death.

Label’s Response: Dameka Davis, attorney for Rebel Records, confirmed that the label was in the “final stages” of resolving the royalty agreement and intended to fully compensate Tay. She emphasized that royalty negotiations are handled between labels, not artists, and stated they are now expediting the final payment to Tay’s estate.

Key Takeaways

Cause of Death: Undetermined; pending police investigation.
Relationship: Tay Keith and Sexyy Red remained close friends despite the business dispute with her label.

Resolution Status: The dispute was reportedly near resolution prior to the producer’s death, with the label now working to finalize compensation to his estate.