Keith Grayson, higher recognized to hip hop faithfuls as New York Metropolis's DJ Kay Slay, died on Sunday following an prolonged bout with COVID-19, his household confirmed.

The information of the 55-year-old's passing was reported on the official web site of famed New York radio station, Scorching 97, on Monday. Grayson served as a bunch for the station's present, "The Drama Hour," for over 20 years. The beloved MC had reportedly been battling COVID for the final 4 months previous to his loss of life.

"A dominant determine in Hip Hop tradition with hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide, DJ Kay Slay might be remembered for his ardour and excellence with a legacy that can transcend generations," a press release from his household learn. "In reminiscence of DJ Kay Slay, our household needs to thank all of his associates, followers, and supporters for his or her prayers and properly needs throughout this tough time. We ask that you simply respect our privateness as we grieve this tragic loss."

Born in 1966 and raised in Harlem, Grayson initially gained public consideration as a serious graffiti artist in New York Metropolis. Based on Scorching 97, he was featured within the 1983 documentary Type Wars throughout this era in his profession. Because the years went on, he additionally discovered success as a disc jockey and report govt.

dj kay slay dead from COVID
Keith Grayson, greatest referred to as hip hop icon DJ Kay Slay, died on Sunday following a months-long battle with COVID-19. Above, Grayson is seen acting at an album listening social gathering in 2016.Johnny Nunez/WireImage

"Within the early-to-mid 2000s, the Harlem native grew to become one of the distinguished DJs on the mixtape scene, being [known] for that includes unique, and unreleased music in his mixtapes," Scorching 97's assertion on Grayson's passing reads. "He additionally launched his first two albums, Streetsweeper Vol. 1 & 2 in 2003 and 2004, [respectively], via his first cope with Violator Information."

Over the course of his decades-long profession, he would launch a complete of six albums and work with quite a few rap luminaries, together with Nas, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Fats Joe, and Cunning Brown, based on Scorching 97. Final 12 months, he launched a 40-minute observe titled "Rolling 110 Deep," that includes verses from himself and 110 different performers, together with Ice-T, Shaquille O'Neal, Redman, Omar Epps, KRS-One, and Ghostface Killah.

"HOT 97 is shocked and saddened by the lack of our beloved DJ Kay Slay," the station's assertion mentioned. "We cherish the numerous recollections created via the twenty-plus years he devoted to the 'Drama Hour.' A cultural icon, The Streetsweeper Kay Slay was greater than only a DJ, to us he was household and an important a part of what made HOT 97 the profitable station it's in the present day. Our hearts exit to his household, associates, and followers worldwide and we'll all the time and endlessly rejoice The Drama King's legacy."

All through his profession, Grayson was referred to as "The Drama King," and was additionally as soon as dubbed "Hip Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults" in a New York Instances profile.

Newsweek reached out to Scorching 97 for remark.