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DJ Kay Slay

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Keith Grayson(August 14, 1966 – April 17, 2022), professionally known asDJ Kay Slay,was an Americandisc jockey(DJ) from New York City. He is referred to byThe New York Timesas "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),The Champions: North Meets South(with Greg Street; 2006), andMore Than Just a DJ(2010). Known for extensive curation of prominent figures inEast Coast hip hop,his albums were met with success in the regional market; his first two were released byColumbia Records.Grayson died fromCOVID-19in 2022.

DJ Kay Slay
Background information
Birth nameKeith Grayson
Also known as
  • The Drama King
  • Dez
  • Slap Your Favorite DJ
Born(1966-08-14)August 14, 1966
New York City, U.S.
DiedApril 17, 2022(2022-04-17)(aged 55)
New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Disc jockey
  • music promoter
Years active1983–2022
Labels

Early life

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Grayson was born August 14, 1966, in New York City. He was originally a prominentgraffitiartist, having been featured in the 1983 hip hop documentary,Style Wars.One of Grayson's better knowntagswas "Dez".[2]As a youth involved in New York's flourishinghip hopscene, Keith witnessed firsthand the ascent of legendary disc jockeys such asGrandmaster Flash,Grand Wizzard Theodore,andKool 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 withnarcoticsand 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 inEast Harlem,New York.In the early years of his life, he also met long-time friendSauce Money,whom he was friends with until his death.

Career

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2003–2009:Streetsweeperseries

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DJ Kay Slay released his debut album,The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1,on May 20, 2003. In the summer of 2003, Kay Slay released asingle,accompanied by amusic video,for a song titled "Too Much For Me". The single, which features achorussung by then-up-and-coming singerAmerie,also featuresversesfrom American rappersBirdman,Nas,andFoxy Brown.The song peaked at number 53 on the USBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, making it the DJ's highest-charting single to date. The single's music video includescameo appearancesbySwizz Beatz,N.O.R.E.,Raekwon,WC,andLloyd Banks.[citation needed]Although the song was not a major success, its music video was aired onMTV JamsandBET.The "Too Much For Me" video did not feature Nas (because of Nas' solo projects) or Baby; soLoonwas featured instead. This replacement started a feud between Nas and Kay Slay.

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

2010–2022:More Than Just a DJandRhyme or Die

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After releasingMore Than Just a DJin 2010,Rhyme or Diewas released. The first album's initial two singles "60 Second Assassins" featuringBusta Rhymes,Layzie Bone,Twista,andJaz-Oand "The Kings of the Streets" featuringDJ Khaled,DJ Drama,DJ Doo Wop, and Fly Nate were released in 2011. In 2013, "About That Life" featuringFabolous,T-Pain,Rick Ross,Nelly,andFrench Montanawas released as a single fromRhyme 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 featuringFat Joeand50 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 fromIce-T,Shaq,Coke La Rock,KRS-One,Kool G Rap,Ghostface Killah,Roy Jones Jr,Omar Epps,and others.[4]

Illness and death

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In January 2022, DJ Kay Slay's brother said he was in the hospital after contractingCOVID-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

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US
R&B/HH
The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1 22 4
The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2: The Pain from the Game
  • 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

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List of collaborative albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US
R&B/HH
The Champions: North Meets South
(with Greg Street)
  • Released: August 22, 2006
  • Label:Koch
  • Format: CD, download
 57 17

Mixtapes

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

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B/HH
"Too Much for Me"
(featuringNas,Baby,Foxy BrownandAmerie) 		2003 53 The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1
"Not Your Average Joe"
(featuringFat Joe,Joe BuddenandJoe) 		2004 63 The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2
"Who Gives a Fuck Where You From"
(featuringThree 6 Mafia,Lil WyteandFrayser Boy) 		89
"Blockstars"[33]
(featuringYo Gotti,Jim Jones,Busta RhymesandRay J) 		2009 — More Than Just a DJ
"Thug Luv"[34]
(featuringMaino,Papoose,Red Cafeand Ray J) 		2010 112
"60 Second Assassins"
(featuringBusta Rhymes,Layzie Bone,TwistaandJaz-O) 		2011 — Non-album singles
"The Kings of the Streets"
(featuringDJ Khaled,DJ Drama,DJ Doo Wop and Fly Nate) 		75
"About That Life"[35]
(featuringFabolous,T-Pain,Rick Ross,NellyandFrench Montana) 		2013 54
"Keep Calm"[36]
(featuringJuicy J,Jadakiss,2 ChainzandRico Love) 		—
"Don't Do It"[37]
(featuring Fat Joe, French Montana and Rico Love) 		2014 —
"Hocus Pocus"
(featuringA Boogie wit da Hoodie,BluefaceandMoneybagg Yo) 		2019 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

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  1. ^Ivey, Michael (June 16, 2006)."DJ Kay Slay and Shaq Seek to Bridge the Gap".nobodysmiling.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 11, 2008.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  2. ^abOgunnaike, Lola (May 4, 2003)."Hip-Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2020.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  3. ^Gary Suarez (January 28, 2019)."DJ Kay Slay Reveals How He Lands So Many Hip-Hop Greats On His Albums".Forbes.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2020.RetrievedJuly 31,2020.
  4. ^"Video: DJ Kay Slay Ft. Various Artists" Rolling 110 Deep "".Rap Radar.June 25, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2021.RetrievedJune 28,2021.
  5. ^Price, Joe (January 7, 2022)."DJ Kay Slay Hospitalized Due to COVID-19, Brother Shares Update on His Condition".complex.com.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  6. ^Eustice, Kyle (April 18, 2022)."Legendary New York City DJ Kay Slay Has Passed Away Following COVID-19 Battle".hiphopdx.com.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  7. ^"DJ Kay Slay, Fiery Radio Star and Rap Mixtape Innovator, Dies at 55".The New York Times.April 18, 2022.RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  8. ^"DJ Kay Slay – The Soul Controller".Apple Music.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2021.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
  9. ^"Kay Slay* - The Month Of The Bad Guy".Discogs.com.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  10. ^"The MySpace Maniac – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  11. ^"Sign Of The Times – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  12. ^"Sign Of The Times 2 – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  13. ^"Hate Is The New Love – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  14. ^"The Return Of The God – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  15. ^"Blockstars – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  16. ^"Blockstars 2 – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  17. ^"The God Is Back! - DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  18. ^"Long Live The King – DJ Kay Slay".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  19. ^"Redemption".LiveMixtapes.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  20. ^"The Soul Controller".LiveMixtapes.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  21. ^"The Changing Of The Guard".LiveMixtapes.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  22. ^Zach Frydenlund."Mixtape: DJ Kay Slay" The Return Of The Gatekeeper "".Complex.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  23. ^"Dj Kay Slay – Grown Man Hip Hop".DatPiff.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  24. ^"DJ Kay Slay – Grown Man Hip Hop Part 2 (Sleepin' With The Enemy)".DatPiff.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  25. ^"Dj Kay Slay – The Last Champion Hosted by Dj Kay Slay".DatPiff.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  26. ^Goddard, Kevin (January 23, 2014)."DJ Kay Slay – The Rise of a City".HNHH.Archivedfrom the original on July 8, 2015.RetrievedJuly 7,2015.
  27. ^Lilah, Rose (May 8, 2014)."DJ Kay Slay – The Last Hip-Hop Disciple".Hotnewhiphop.com.Archivedfrom the original on May 11, 2014.RetrievedMay 10,2014.
  28. ^Goddard, Kevin (November 5, 2014)."DJ Kay Slay – The Original Man".HotNewHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  29. ^Smith, Trevor (April 8, 2015)."DJ Kay Slay – The Industry Purge".HotNewHipHop.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2015.RetrievedMay 5,2015.
  30. ^"DJ Kay Slay – Shadow Of The Sun – Download & Listen [New Mixtape]".Hotnewhiphop.October 26, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  31. ^"New Mixtape: DJ Kay Slay '50 Shades Of Slay'".Rapradar.com.February 15, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  32. ^"Dj Kay Slay – The Rap Attack".Livemixtapes.com.Archivedfrom the original on September 30, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 23,2016.
  33. ^"iTunes Store".Itunes.apple.com.September 15, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  34. ^"iTunes – Music – Thug Luv (feat. Maino, Papoose, Red Cafe & Ray J) – Single by DJ Kayslay".iTunes.January 12, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  35. ^"iTunes – Music – About That Life (feat. Fabolous, T Pain, Rick Ross, Nelly & French Montana) – Single by DJ Kayslay".iTunes.February 5, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2013.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  36. ^"iTunes – Music – Keep Calm (feat. Juicy J, Jadakiss, 2 Chainz & Rico Love) – Single by DJ Kayslay".iTunes.October 15, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on September 30, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  37. ^"iTunes Store".Itunes.apple.com.September 9, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2015.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
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