Award-winning music producer Tay Keith has reportedly died at the age of 29.

According to reports, the famed Memphis-born producer was found dead in his Nashville apartment on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Police said officers responded to a welfare check at his residence and discovered him unresponsive. Authorities added that no foul play is suspected.

Tay Keith was widely known for his signature trap-inspired sound and played a major role in producing some of the biggest hip-hop hits of the last decade.

He recorded massive success on the Billboard Hot 100, producing 11 top-10 songs and four No. 1 singles, including Sicko Mode by Travis Scott and First Person Shooter by Drake.

The producer was also credited with helping launch the career of Sexyy Red through her breakout hit “Pound Town,” which brought her into mainstream recognition.

Beyond hip-hop, Tay Keith expanded into country music and founded DRUMATIZED, a creative label and studio hub in Nashville that supported both hip-hop and country artists. The facility became Nashville’s second Black-owned recording studio and served as a space for emerging and established musicians.

One of the biggest moments of his career came in December 2018 when “Sicko Mode” reached No. 1 and earned him his first Grammy nomination, the same month he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University.

Educators and colleagues described him as intelligent, visionary, and passionate about helping others succeed.

Throughout his career, Tay Keith also helped elevate several Memphis artists, including BlocBoy JB and Blac Youngsta. In 2018, he produced BlocBoy JB’s breakthrough hit Look Alive, which featured Drake and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following news of his death, friends, collaborators, and artists paid emotional tributes on social media. BlocBoy JB expressed shock and grief, sharing old photos and writing, “We talked every day. Yeen tell me you’re leaving.”

Tay Keith leaves behind a legacy as one of the most influential producers of his generation, whose sound helped shape modern hip-hop and brought greater attention to Memphis music on the global stage.

Late Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has been laid to rest in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, amid tears from family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers.

DAILYMIRROR recalls that the actor died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40 after battling kidney cancer.

His funeral activities began on Wednesday with a wake-keep ceremony held in Ujari Village, Arochukwu.

The funeral service took place on Thursday at Mary Slessor School, Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, before his final burial at the family compound.

Several colleagues from the Nollywood industry, friends, and loved ones paid glowing tributes to the late actor, celebrating his life, career, and contributions to the entertainment industry.

Many mourners were seen in tears as they gathered to bid him a final farewell.

Before his death, Alexx Ekubo was one of Nollywood’s most popular actors, featuring in numerous movies and earning admiration for his philanthropic activities and contributions to society.

Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has sparked controversy after claiming that hip-hop music is no longer relevant.

The rapper came under criticism after repeating a statement similar to one previously made by Wizkid about the state of hip-hop.

Reacting to a list of Nigerian artists with the highest monthly listeners on Spotify, Odumodublvck took to X and wrote, “Hip Hop is dead.”

His comment appeared to reference the absence of Nigerian rappers on the list, which was dominated entirely by singers.

The statement generated mixed reactions online, with some people agreeing with his observation, while others accused him of disrespecting the hip-hop genre.

Many critics argued that hip-hop remains one of the most influential music genres globally, even if Nigerian rappers are currently not among the country’s most-streamed artists on Spotify.

According to the ranking, Burna Boy leads with 40.68 million monthly listeners, followed closely by Tems with 40.64 million.

Rema occupies third place with 29.43 million listeners, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid rank fourth and fifth with 16.84 million and 16.81 million listeners respectively.

The rest of the top 10 includes Omah Lay with 11.24 million listeners, Davido with 10.83 million, CKay with 10.71 million, Fireboy DML with 9.23 million, and Asake with 8.69 million listeners.

Odumodublvck’s statement has continued to fuel debate among music fans over the current position and influence of hip-hop in Nigeria’s music industry.