DJ Kay Slay explained

DJ Kay Slay
Birth Name:Keith Grayson
Birth Date:14 August 1966
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, U.S.
Genre:Hip hop
Years Active:1983–2022

Keith Grayson (August 14, 1966 – April 17, 2022), professionally known as DJ Kay Slay, was an American disc jockey (DJ) from New York City. He is referred to by The New York Times as "Hip Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults".[1] [2] He released four studio albums: The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 (2003), The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2 (2004), (with Greg Street; 2006), and More Than Just a DJ (2010). Known for extensive curation of prominent figures in East Coast hip hop, his albums were met with success in the regional market; his first two were released by Columbia Records. Grayson died from COVID-19 in 2022.

Early life

Grayson was born August 14, 1966, in New York City. He was originally a prominent graffiti artist, having been featured in the 1983 hip hop documentary, Style Wars. One of Grayson's better known tags was "Dez". As a youth involved in New York's flourishing hip hop scene, Keith witnessed firsthand the ascent of legendary disc jockeys such as Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizzard Theodore, and Kool DJ Red Alert, in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. "I didn't so much set out to be a DJ," he said. "It was just something to do that was fun and that I enjoyed doing."[3] With the decline of the graffiti movement in the late 1980s, Dez began dealing with narcotics and consequently ended up in jail by the late 1980s. Grayson was released from jail in 1990, and claimed to have abstained from using drugs thereafter. He hailed from the East River Houses located in East Harlem, New York. In the early years of his life, he also met long-time friend Sauce Money, whom he was friends with until his death.

Career

2003–2009: Streetsweeper series

DJ Kay Slay released his debut album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1, on May 20, 2003. In the summer of 2003, Kay Slay released a single, accompanied by a music video, for a song titled "Too Much For Me". The single, which features a chorus sung by then-up-and-coming singer Amerie, also features verses from American rappers Birdman, Nas, and Foxy Brown. The song peaked at number 53 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it the DJ's highest-charting single to date. The single's music video includes cameo appearances by Swizz Beatz, N.O.R.E., Raekwon, WC, and Lloyd Banks. Although the song was not a major success, its music video was aired on MTV Jams and BET. The "Too Much For Me" video did not feature Nas (because of Nas' solo projects) or Baby; so Loon was featured instead. This replacement started a feud between Nas and Kay Slay.

On March 30, 2004, Kay Slay's second album The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2, was released. Another single and video were released for "Who Gives A...Where You From" with Three 6 Mafia, which peaked at number 89 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Kay Slay and the song were featured on the 2004 NFL Street video game.

2010–2022: More Than Just a DJ and Rhyme or Die

After releasing More Than Just a DJ in 2010, Rhyme or Die was released. The first album's initial two singles "60 Second Assassins" featuring Busta Rhymes, Layzie Bone, Twista, and Jaz-O and "The Kings of the Streets" featuring DJ Khaled, DJ Drama, DJ Doo Wop, and Fly Nate were released in 2011. In 2013, "About That Life" featuring Fabolous, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Nelly, and French Montana was released as a single from Rhyme or Die. It debuted and peaked at #54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it one of Kay Slay's most successful singles to date. In the beginning of 2014, "Free Again" was released featuring Fat Joe and 50 Cent, which came as a surprise for some seeing as how they had "beef" before, but later reconciled. In 2021, Dj Kay Slay released the track "Rolling 110 Deep" which featured 110 hip hop artists with contributing verses from Ice-T, Shaq, Coke La Rock, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, Roy Jones Jr, Omar Epps, and others.[4]

Illness and death

In January 2022, DJ Kay Slay's brother said he was in the hospital after contracting COVID-19, but was "in a recovery state".[5] He died from COVID-19 in New York City, on April 17, 2022, at the age of 55.[6] [7]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
USUS
R&B/HH
The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 22 4
The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2
  • Released: March 30, 2004
  • Label: Streetsweepers, Columbia
  • Format: CD, download
27 10
More Than Just a DJ
  • Released: February 9, 2010
  • Label: Streetsweepers, E1
  • Format: CD, download
133 29
The Big Brother
  • Released: September 22, 2017
  • Label: Streetsweepers, Empire
  • Format: CD, download
— —
Hip Hop Frontline
  • Released: January 25, 2019
  • Label: Streetsweepers, Empire
  • Format: CD, download
— —
The Soul Controller[8]
  • Released: December 17, 2021
  • Label: Streetsweepers, Empire
  • Format: CD, download
— —

Collaborative albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
USUS
R&B/HH

(with Greg Street)
  • Released: August 22, 2006
  • Label: Koch
  • Format: CD, download
57 17

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" style="width:16em;"
Album details
The Month of the Bad Guy
  • Released: 2003[9]
    • Format: CD
The MySpace Maniac
  • Released: October 30, 2006[10]
    • Format: Download
Sign of the Times
  • Released: January 29, 2007[11]
    • Format: Download
Sign of the Times 2
  • Released: March 6, 2007[12]
    • Format: Download
Hate Is the New Love
  • Released: August 24, 2007[13]
    • Format: Download
The Return of the God
  • Released: December 21, 2007[14]
    • Format: Download
Blockstars
  • Released: October 18, 2009[15]
    • Format: Download
Blockstars 2
  • Released: November 16, 2009[16]
    • Format: Download
The God Is Back
  • Released: August 24, 2010[17]
    • Format: Download
Long Live the King
  • Released: October 11, 2010[18]
    • Format: Download
Redemption
  • Released: January 14, 2011[19]
    • Format: Download
The Soul Controller
  • Released: February 6, 2011[20]
    • Format: Download
The Changing of the Guard
  • Released: July 24, 2012[21]
    • Format: Download
Return of the Gate Keeper
  • Released: September 8, 2012[22]
    • Format: Download
Grown Man Hip-Hop
  • Released: November 19, 2012[23]
    • Format: Download
Grown Man Hip-Hop Part 2 (Sleepin' with the Enemy)
  • Released: January 23, 2013[24]
    • Format: Download
The Last Champion
  • Released: July 12, 2013[25]
    • Format: Download
The Rise of a City
  • Released: January 23, 2014[26]
    • Format: Download
The Last Hip Hop Disciple
  • Released: May 8, 2014[27]
    • Format: Download
The Original Man
  • Released: November 14, 2014[28]
    • Format: Download
The Industry Purge
  • Released: April 8, 2015[29]
    • Format: Download
Shadow of the Sun
  • Released: October 26, 2015[30]
    • Format: Download
50 Shades of Slay
  • Released: February 15, 2016[31]
    • Format: Download
The Rap Attack
  • Released: July 1, 2016[32]
    • Format: Download
Living Legend
  • Released: March 6, 2020
    • Format: CD, download
Homage
  • Released: November 12, 2020
    • Format: CD, download
Accolades
  • Released: June 25, 2021
    • Format: CD, download

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
R&B/HH
"Too Much for Me"
(featuring Nas, Baby, Foxy Brown and Amerie)		200353The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1
"Not Your Average Joe"
(featuring Fat Joe, Joe Budden and Joe)		200463The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2
"Who Gives a Fuck Where You From"
(featuring Three 6 Mafia, Lil Wyte and Frayser Boy)		89
"Blockstars"[33]
(featuring Yo Gotti, Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes and Ray J)		2009—More Than Just a DJ
"Thug Luv"[34]
(featuring Maino, Papoose, Red Cafe and Ray J)		2010112
"60 Second Assassins"
(featuring Busta Rhymes, Layzie Bone, Twista and Jaz-O)		2011—rowspan="6"
"The Kings of the Streets"
(featuring DJ Khaled, DJ Drama, DJ Doo Wop and Fly Nate)		75
"About That Life"[35]
(featuring Fabolous, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Nelly and French Montana)		201354
"Keep Calm"[36]
(featuring Juicy J, Jadakiss, 2 Chainz and Rico Love)		—
"Don't Do It"[37]
(featuring Fat Joe, French Montana and Rico Love)		2014—
"Hocus Pocus"
(featuring A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Blueface and Moneybagg Yo)		2019—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DJ Kay Slay and Shaq Seek to Bridge the Gap. https://web.archive.org/web/20080411225243/http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/86337.php. dead. Ivey. Michael. June 16, 2006. nobodysmiling.com. April 11, 2008. May 19, 2019.
  2. News: Hip-Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults. Ogunnaike. Lola. May 4, 2003. The New York Times. May 19, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331. March 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304014809/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/04/arts/music-hip-hop-s-one-man-ministry-of-insults.html. live.
  3. Web site: DJ Kay Slay Reveals How He Lands So Many Hip-Hop Greats On His Albums. January 28, 2019. Gary Suarez. Forbes. July 31, 2020. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108004119/https://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2019/01/28/dj-kay-slay-reveals-how-he-lands-so-many-hip-hop-greats-on-his-albums/#739d54bc5903. live.
  4. Web site: Video: DJ Kay Slay Ft. Various Artists "Rolling 110 Deep". June 28, 2021. Rap Radar. June 25, 2021 . en-US. June 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210625052616/https://rapradar.com/2021/06/25/video-dj-kay-slay-ft-various-artists-rolling-110-deep/. live.
  5. Web site: Price . Joe . DJ Kay Slay Hospitalized Due to COVID-19, Brother Shares Update on His Condition . complex.com . April 18, 2022 . January 7, 2022.
  6. Web site: Eustice . Kyle . Legendary New York City DJ Kay Slay Has Passed Away Following COVID-19 Battle . hiphopdx.com . April 18, 2022 . April 18, 2022.
  7. Web site: DJ Kay Slay, Fiery Radio Star and Rap Mixtape Innovator, Dies at 55. The New York Times. April 18, 2022. April 20, 2022.
  8. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – The Soul Controller . . December 17, 2021 . December 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217172623/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-soul-controller/1598235987 . live .
  9. Web site: Kay Slay* - The Month Of The Bad Guy. Discogs.com. September 23, 2016. March 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160310035307/https://www.discogs.com/Kay-Slay-The-Month-Of-The-Bad-Guy/release/2700717. live.
  10. Web site: The MySpace Maniac – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923142054/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/623/the_myspace_maniac.html. live.
  11. Web site: Sign Of The Times – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923142258/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/975/sign_of_the_times.html. live.
  12. Web site: Sign Of The Times 2 – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923142321/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/1159/sign_of_the_times_2.html. live.
  13. Web site: Hate Is The New Love – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923141722/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/1992/hate_is_the_new_love.html. live.
  14. Web site: The Return Of The God – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923140728/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/2435/the_return_of_the_god.html. live.
  15. Web site: Blockstars – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923142329/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/10742/blockstars.html. live.
  16. Web site: Blockstars 2 – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923140825/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/10865/blockstars_2.html. live.
  17. Web site: The God Is Back! - DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923142810/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/12242/the_god_is_back.html. live.
  18. Web site: Long Live The King – DJ Kay Slay. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923141127/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/12493/long_live_the_king.html. live.
  19. Web site: Redemption. LiveMixtapes. March 11, 2015. January 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121153844/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/13004/redemption.html. live.
  20. Web site: The Soul Controller. LiveMixtapes. March 11, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101356/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/13158/the_soul_controller.html. live.
  21. Web site: The Changing Of The Guard. LiveMixtapes. March 11, 2015. January 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121153404/http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/18115/the_changing_of_the_guard.html. live.
  22. Web site: Mixtape: DJ Kay Slay "The Return Of The Gatekeeper". Zach Frydenlund. Complex. March 11, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155935/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/mixtape-dj-kay-slay-the-return-of-the-gatekeeper. live.
  23. Web site: Dj Kay Slay – Grown Man Hip Hop. DatPiff. March 11, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092805/http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Kay-Slay-Grown-Man-Hip-Hop-mixtape.420257.html. live.
  24. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – Grown Man Hip Hop Part 2 (Sleepin' With The Enemy). DatPiff. March 11, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154704/http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Kay-Slay-Grown-Man-Hip-Hop-Part-2-Sleepin-With-The-Enemy-mixtape.446516.html. live.
  25. Web site: Dj Kay Slay – The Last Champion Hosted by Dj Kay Slay. DatPiff. March 11, 2015. January 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150121153957/http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Kay-Slay-The-Last-Champion-mixtape.509381.html. live.
  26. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – The Rise of a City . January 23, 2014 . July 7, 2015 . Goddard, Kevin . HNHH . July 8, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150708082757/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-kay-slay-the-rise-of-a-city-new-mixtape.107462.html . live .
  27. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – The Last Hip-Hop Disciple . Hotnewhiphop.com . May 8, 2014 . May 10, 2014 . Lilah, Rose . May 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140511131023/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-kay-slay-the-last-hip-hop-disciple-new-mixtape.112221.html . live .
  28. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – The Original Man. Goddard, Kevin. HotNewHipHop. November 5, 2014. March 11, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161010/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-kay-slay-the-original-man-new-mixtape.115557.html. live.
  29. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – The Industry Purge. Smith, Trevor. HotNewHipHop. April 8, 2015. May 5, 2015. April 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150416090703/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-kay-slay-the-industry-purge-new-mixtape.115786.html. live.
  30. Web site: DJ Kay Slay – Shadow Of The Sun – Download & Listen [New Mixtape]]. Hotnewhiphop. October 26, 2015. September 23, 2016. September 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160924031631/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dj-kay-slay-shadow-of-the-sun-new-mixtape.116093.html. live.
  31. Web site: New Mixtape: DJ Kay Slay '50 Shades Of Slay'. Rapradar.com. February 15, 2016 . September 23, 2016. September 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160924020121/http://rapradar.com/2016/02/15/new-mixtape-dj-kay-slay-50-shades-of-slay/. live.
  32. Web site: Dj Kay Slay – The Rap Attack. Livemixtapes.com. September 23, 2016. September 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160930150217/http://www.datpiff.com/Dj-Kay-Slay-The-Rap-Attack-mixtape.791752.html. live.
  33. Web site: iTunes Store. Itunes.apple.com. September 15, 2009. March 11, 2015. January 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150123223453/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blockstars-feat.-plies-ray/id331156963. live.
  34. Web site: iTunes – Music – Thug Luv (feat. Maino, Papoose, Red Cafe & Ray J) – Single by DJ Kayslay. iTunes. January 12, 2010. March 11, 2015. February 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150221231743/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thug-luv-feat.-maino-papoose/id351435547. live.
  35. Web site: iTunes – Music – About That Life (feat. Fabolous, T Pain, Rick Ross, Nelly & French Montana) – Single by DJ Kayslay. iTunes. February 5, 2013. March 11, 2015. July 20, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130720130404/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/about-that-life-feat.-fabolous/id593137145. live.
  36. Web site: iTunes – Music – Keep Calm (feat. Juicy J, Jadakiss, 2 Chainz & Rico Love) – Single by DJ Kayslay. iTunes. October 15, 2013. March 11, 2015. September 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150930090237/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/keep-calm-feat.-juicy-j-jadakiss/id722389514. live.
  37. Web site: iTunes Store. Itunes.apple.com. September 9, 2014. March 11, 2015. February 21, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150221231648/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-do-it-feat.-fat-joe-french/id917379230. live.

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