Memphis officials posthumously honored the late Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith on Sunday, September 20, 2026, declaring the date Tay Keith Day and presenting his family with the key to the city during the city’s 901 Day celebration. The tribute came on what would have been the producer’s 30th birthday, just three months after his death in June at age 29.
A Legacy of Giving Back
The ceremony highlighted not only Keith’s musical achievements but his deep commitment to his hometown. Memphis Mayor Paul Young recalled how the producer had reached out shortly after Young took office, eager to find ways to invest in the city. “He wanted to do so much that he began calling me every week, because he wanted to make sure he made an impact on this city,” Young said. “He wanted to figure out how to support the 901” . Keith had spoken with the mayor about his love for Memphis and his desire to help women and children and provide mental health services .
The Tay Keith Music Lab Opens
The day after the proclamation, Memphis Public Libraries dedicated its Cloud901 music production room at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library as the Tay Keith Music Lab, following a donation from the Tay Keith Legacy Foundation . The lab will provide young people ages 13 to 18 with access to music-production tools and instruction, including a new Tay Keith Beat Making 101 curriculum that introduces aspiring creators to beat making and music production fundamentals.
“The funding of this music lab is an investment in the next generation of Memphis talent and a fitting tribute to Tay Keith,” Mayor Young said. “His legacy will live on by giving young people the tools and space to create, learn, and build their own future in Music” .
A Living Legacy
The Tay Keith Legacy Initiative extends beyond the music lab itself, comprising four key components designed to preserve his story and inspire future creators . These include the Tay Keith Collection, a permanent archival collection documenting his life and career through photographs, handwritten notes, studio materials, and awards; and Tay Keith in 901Voices, an oral history initiative where family members and those who knew him will share memories that will become part of the library’s digital archive .Keith’s family released a statement emphasizing the significance of the tribute. “Today we keep our beloved Tay Keith’s memory and profound work alive by unveiling the Tay Keith Music Lab in partnership with Memphis Public Libraries,” they said. “This space will connect his legacy to creation and focus on future generations of young DJs, producers, and music moguls to come” . His older sister, Lisa Austin, remembered Keith clearing a closet to make room for a studio and putting a sock over the microphone to act as a filter—humble beginnings that led to four No. 1 records on the Billboard Hot 100, including Travis Scott’s “SICKO MODE” and Drake’s “First Person Shooter” .