Autopsy: Tay Keith Died of Accidental Overdose at 29

Producer Tay Keith, 29, died in June of an accidental overdose from ketamine and kratom-related compounds, the Nashville Medical Examiner ruled.

Three months after Memphis producer Tay Keith was found dead in his Nashville apartment on June 18, his cause of death has been made public. According to Billboard, citing ABC News, an autopsy report from the Office of the Medical Examiner in Nashville, obtained Thursday (Sept. 17), states that the producer — born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers — died of an accidental drug overdose involving a fatal mix of "mitragynine, 7-hydroxy mitragynine, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and ketamine toxicity," with "toxic effects of drugs" listed as the circumstances of death. HipHopWired reports the manner of death was ruled an accident.

TheGrio reports that the Nashville Medical Examiner's Office found ketamine and mitragynine — a compound in kratom, a plant whose active chemicals interact with opioid receptors — in Keith's system, per TMZ. TheGrio notes the findings do not establish that Keith was knowingly using kratom, and it remains unclear whether he took the plant or mitragynine entered his system another way. Paste Magazine adds that kratom is a federally legal substance sold in gas stations and corner stores, while Hot Spot ATL reports drug paraphernalia was discovered near where he was found.

Multiple outlets agree on several details: TheGrio and Paste both report nicotine and ethanol were found in his system, and both note the medical examiner documented mild coronary artery disease. Paste reports Keith had been found dead in his Nashville apartment after police performed a welfare check, with Metro Nashville Police saying no foul play was suspected. Billboard likewise reports officers found the producer unresponsive during a wellness check, and Rolling Stone, per TheGrio, reported the death was classified as accidental.

Paste reports Keith began making beats as a teenager and built a signature sound from Memphis icons like Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG; at 21 he produced Drake and BlocBoy JB's 2018 hit "Look Alive." The verdict that a federally legal, viral plant compound was part of the fatal mix — Paste notes kratom has been going viral on social media for its addictive qualities — is the detail fans will debate most.

Billboard tallies 11 Billboard Hot 100 top 10s for Keith, including four No. 1 smashes from Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode" to Drake and J. Cole's "First Person Shooter," plus a pair of Grammy nominations and six No. 1s on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this decade — the most of any producer. TheGrio lists credits spanning Drake's "Nonstop" and "Rich Flex" and records with Lil Baby, Eminem and Sexyy Red, and Paste notes he executive-produced Sexyy Red's 2024 LP "Sexyy We Trust." MTSU Sidelines adds he earned his degree at MTSU and was named an honorary professor there.

With the medical questions resolved, attention turns back to Keith's catalog and the people mourning him. Billboard quotes the family's June 21 statement through his Drumatized label calling Brytavious "a visionary producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist and cultural force whose work helped define the sound of a generation," and "a beloved son, brother, uncle, family member and friend." The Express Tribune reports Drake wrote on Instagram: "Endless and eternal gratitude for your spirit and your contributions to this thing that we all love so much." TheGrio says the new findings add a definitive answer while his catalog stands as his lasting record.