DJ Kay Slay’s Legacy Lives On: Honored with Street-Naming Ceremony

Written By Kelci Brown

“Drama King” Street

The illustrious DJ Kay Slay, real life Keith Grayson, will be forever immortalized in New York City.  His hometown is preparing to pay homage to the late hip-hop legend with a special street-naming ceremony, a fitting tribute to his immense contributions to the culture.

DJ Kay Slay
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The Drama King Immortalized In Harlem

On August 13, East 105th Street and 1st Ave. in East Harlem will be transformed into a lasting reminder of the impactful legacy of DJ Kay Slay, “The Drama King.” The street-naming ceremony is scheduled just one day before what would have been the DJ’s 57th birthday, making it a poignant celebration of his life and achievements.

The event will be graced by several esteemed guests, including Kay Slay’s close friend Papoose, manager Jarrod “General” Whitaker, and his niece Ladi Kutz, all of whom are dedicated to ensuring that DJ Kay Slay’s memory lives on.  Some of Kay Slay’s former collaborators have also been invited to commemorate the DJ’s remarkable contributions to the culture including 50 Cent, LL COOL J, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Remy Ma and Tony Yayo.

Kay Slay Loses Covid Fight

Tragically, DJ Kay Slay passed away on April 17th, 2022, at the age of 55, following a hard-fought battle with COVID-19. His untimely departure left the hip-hop community devastated, but his indelible mark on the genre remains forever.  

Following his passing, an outpouring of tributes from the hip-hop community poured in, with artists like Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, LL COOL J, Fat Joe, and Killer Mike honoring his legacy and the significant impact he had on the genre.  At a poignant memorial service held at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, the industry came together to pay their final respects to the beloved DJ, further underscoring the profound influence he had on the hip-hop world.

DJ Kay Slay’s Impact on Mixtape Culture

Recognized for his mixtapes and groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop culture, including the launch of the iconic “Straight Stuntin'” magazine and the “What’s the Science” project, DJ Kay Slay was a respected and influential figure in the music industry.  One of his last projects before his death, “Rolling 110 Deep,” was set to be the longest Hip-Hop song ever recorded.

The street-naming ceremony will forever be etch DJ Kay Slay into the city’s landscape, serving as a reminder of his artistry, dedication, and undeniable mark on the world of hip-hop.

Updated by Kelci Brown on July 18th, 2023


DJ Kay Slay Passes Away From COVID-19

Legendary Hip Hop figure DJ Kay Slay has passed away after a long battle with Covid-19.  He was reportedly unvaccinated.

Fly High Kay Slay

Legendary Hip Hop veteran & New York radio personality DJ Kay Slay passed away on Easter due to complications with COVID-19.

DJ Kay Slay has a career that spans over four decades. Kay Slay, whose real name is Keith Grayson was an important figure and pioneer in hip-hop, especially within New York’s musical and artistic culture. Grayson worked for the New York hip-hop radio station Hot 97 and they have released an official statement from the family of Kay Slay. 

The statement read, “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 Hip-Hop Community Mourns

Wack100 was the first hip-hop figure to announce the passing of DJ Kay Slay. He posted two slides on his Instagram story the first one read, “Rip @djkayslay” and followed up on the next slide with, “Legendary DJ Kay Slay has passed away after 4-month battle with covid-19” Not long after Wack100’s post, many hip hop figures from coast to coast as well as fans paid their respects to the hip hop pioneer. 

West coast rapper and television actor, Ice-T took to Twitter to react to impactful loss to the culture. He tweeted, “We lost one of the most SOLID MFs in HipHop.. I’ve been checking in on him his whole struggle in the Hospital. I honestly thought he was gonna pull through. This truly Hurts… F Covid. RIP   to the Drama King #Kay Slay.”

NYC lyricist Lloyd Banks also expressed his grief and appreciation for Kay Slay on social media. He tweeted, “Rest In Peace to the Legend DJ Kay Slay Thank you for everything you’ve done for the culture,my condolences 💐 to his family”.

Kay Slay A 40-year Veteran

The drama king has been a major part of NYC hip hop culture for over 40 years.  New York hip-hop personality DJ Kay Slay is a true rap game veteran. The popular deejay had shared a super vintage pic of himself dating back to the mid-90’s when he started the Drama Hour, delivering exclusive new hip hop to NYC streets via Hot97.

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Written by Kelci Brown

Kelci Brown is a Mass Communications major who possesses a profound passion for the art of storytelling, specifically through film directing, acting, and journalism. Hailing from Missouri City near Houston, she is motivated by her innate drive to craft impactful narratives that forge deep connections with audiences. With unwavering dedication, Kelci is committed to refining her skills and making a meaningful and positive contribution to the realm of media and communication.

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