New details have emerged surrounding the death of Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith, nearly three months after the 29-year-old hitmaker was found dead inside his Nashville apartment.
According to reports citing the Nashville Medical Examiner’s Office, Tay Keith died from the toxic effects of ketamine and mitragynine, the primary psychoactive compound found in kratom. The findings provide the first confirmed explanation for his death after authorities initially said the cause would be determined through an autopsy.
Keith, whose real name was Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, was discovered dead on June 18, 2026, after Metro Nashville Police officers responded to his residence for a welfare check. At the time, police said there were no indications of foul play.
The medical examiner reportedly found both ketamine and mitragynine in Keith’s system. Mitragynine is associated with kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia whose compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain. Reports also said nicotine and ethanol were detected, while the examination noted mild coronary artery disease.
It remains unclear exactly how Keith came into contact with mitragynine or whether he had intentionally used kratom before his death. The available medical-examiner findings do not establish those circumstances, and authorities have not publicly suggested that anyone else was involved.
Keith’s sudden death shocked the hip-hop community. At only 29 years old, the Memphis-born producer had already established himself as one of the most influential beatmakers of his generation, helping shape some of the biggest rap records of the late 2010s and 2020s.
He first gained major attention through his work with fellow Memphis artist BlocBoy JB. Their collaboration eventually helped connect Keith with Drake, leading to production on the 2018 hit “Look Alive,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
From there, Keith’s career quickly expanded. He went on to produce or co-produce records for artists including Drake, Travis Scott, Beyoncé, Future, Lil Baby, Gunna, Sexyy Red, and many others. His production credits include major songs such as Drake’s “Nonstop,” Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE,” and Sexyy Red’s “Pound Town” and “Get It Sexyy.”
His work on “SICKO MODE” earned him widespread industry recognition and contributed to one of the biggest records of Travis Scott’s career. Keith later continued building his reputation through high-profile collaborations while also becoming closely associated with Memphis rap’s rise into the mainstream.
Keith received multiple Grammy nominations during his career and was named Producer of the Year at the 2024 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. He was also included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Music list in 2025, reflecting how quickly he had become one of the industry’s most sought-after producers.
Following his death, tributes poured in from artists and collaborators across the music industry. Drake, who had worked with Keith on several major records, publicly mourned the producer, while frequent collaborator Sexyy Red also shared emotional tributes and later attended his funeral in Memphis.
Other artists including Future, BlocBoy JB and Nicki Minaj also honored Keith following his passing, highlighting both his musical influence and the personal relationships he built throughout his career.
Keith’s family remembered him not only as a producer but also as a songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist and creative force whose work helped shape modern hip-hop.
Now, with the medical examiner’s findings made public, more clarity has emerged about the circumstances surrounding his death. Even so, Tay Keith’s impact continues through the extensive catalog of music he created during a career that ended far too early.
From Memphis street records to global chart-toppers, Tay Keith helped define the sound of an era, leaving behind a production legacy that will continue to influence hip-hop for years to come.