From Memphis To Music City: Superproducer Tay Keith Invests In Nashville [Interview]

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Tay Keith

In the ever-evolving world of hip-hop, few producers have captured the zeitgeist like Tay Keith. A Grammy-nominated, three-time BMI Producer of the Year, the Memphis-born producer has redefined success by bridging the gap between his hometown’s trailblazing rap scene and the global stage.

He began making music in middle school, teaching himself to rap, produce and DJ while eagerly collaborating with anyone willing to join in the creative process.

“My mom was married and her husband [at the time] was DJing. That’s what exposed me to it,” Tay tells MusicRow from his state-of-the-art new studio in Nashville. “I went to my dad’s house on the weekends, and my brothers and the neighbors would record music on the computer. I said, ‘One day I’m going to get me a mic and do this shit.’ And that’s what I did.”

The journey began right there in Memphis, with Tay producing tracks for local stars like Yo Gotti, Blac Youngsta and Moneybagg Yo. Songs such as “Gang Gang” and “Birthday” established his reputation locally, as did his work with another Memphis breakout BlocBoy JB, with Tay producing “Shoot” and “Rover” for the rapper. His meteoric rise, however, came in 2018 when global hitmaker Drake, whose father lived in Memphis for a time, joined BlocBoy JB on “Look Alive.”

“[BlocBoy JB] started paying me like $15 or $20 for beats and to record him when we were in high school, so he was the only one who was investing in it. When I got to college, we started putting in more work together and it worked.”

The track catapulted Tay to international fame and opened the door to more collaborations with Drake, culminating in the chart-topping single “SICKO MODE” with Travis Scott, which earned him his first Grammy nomination and an RIAA Diamond certification—all while Tay was finishing college at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), just an hour south of Nashville.

YouTube video

“It felt good, especially when people started asking for pictures,” Tay says when asked about his newfound notoriety on campus, and in the music world. “It didn’t phase me too much. I just kept doing what I do and staying grounded.”

Even as his career soared, he remained committed to personal growth, earning his degree in 2018. That milestone marked him as the first in his family to graduate college—a testament to his determination and ability to juggle academic and professional success during the same year his work topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. When he walked across the stage at the commencement ceremony, the face of his graduation cap listed the hits he had produced by the ripe age of 22.

Tay Keith and MusicRow’s LB Cantrell at his studio in Nashville

“I had to something to prove as a first generation grad,” he shares. “Both of my parents had a trade education: my momma got a GED and went to cosmetology school, and my daddy was a locksmith. They really helped me and pushed me to go to school and better myself in education. My graduation from college was special for them.”

Since then, Tay has continued to dominate the charts, crafting hits like Drake and J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter,”Drake’s “Rich Flex” and “For All the Dogs” and Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go.” From the U.K. rap scene to Jennifer Lopez’s latest album, his production prowess knows no bounds.

Notably, he has played a pivotal role in Sexyy Red’s rise to stardom, serving as her executive producer on EP In Sexyy We Trust, which spawned hits like “Get It Sexyy” and “U My Everything,” as well as her smash “Pound Town.” Under Tay’s guidance, Sexyy Red has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, earning multiple Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award nominations in 2024.

In addition to his chart-topping hits, Tay is reshaping Nashville’s music landscape through his Drumatized studio and record label—the second Black-owned studio in the city. With monthly music camps that merge hip-hop and country music, Drumatized fosters collaboration and innovation. These camps, including a recent series in partnership with Apple Music, SMACK and Prescription Songs, have helped break new ground in cross-genre creativity.

Drumatized and Prescription Songs camp

“I work all over, but Nashville is the headquarters. This is what we’re building,” Tay says. “We’re trying to bring our world here, and it’s been a challenge, but we’ve been staying consistent and networking.

“Beyond me, it’s also my team. My producers, my manager, the A&R people and assistants—everybody is helping make this shit work,” he adds of Drumatized’s Nashville presence. “They’re hungry. I represent them, but they also represent me and my brand. I appreciate my team for going so hard. I love what I’m creating as far as my team and the impact we’re making here.”

His work extends beyond production. Tay’s influence as an honorary professor at MSTU and his dedication to mentoring young talent position him as a leader shaping the next generation of music creators. Through initiatives like the Drumatized camps and his hands-on approach with emerging artists, he continues to expand his legacy.

Drumatized and SMACK camp

As for his next personal goal, Tay wants a plaque on the wall for his first country No. 1.

“I’ve been working with a lot of different country artists. Reyna Roberts and I have a lot of songs together. I’ve worked with Kane Brown. Ernest was one of the first people in Nashville to embrace me as a Black hip-hop producer, and Bailey Zimmerman has been good friend to me.”

As his influence grows, so does Tay’s commitment to pushing boundaries. From producing tracks that define eras to fostering diversity and inclusion in Nashville’s music industry, he is more than a producer—he’s a visionary charting a course for the future of music.

LB Cantrell
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