Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorPearl Jam paid tribute to the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins on the opening night of their “Gigaton” tour in singer Eddie Vedder’s hometown of San Diego on Tuesday night.Before performing “Quick Escape” at the city’s Viejas Arena Vedder paid homage to drummer Matt Cameron’s friendship with Hawkins, who died in Columbia while the Foos were on tour, and added a personal touch as well.“[Hawkins] emitted something very incredible and very special,” Vedder said to the audience, before turning to Cameron and saying, “We’re all missing him, and so, Matt, I’m sorry again for your loss. But it just gives us another chance to say how much we appreciate you as well.” Cameron and Hawkins formed a side ban called the Nighttime Boogie Association in 2020 after both took part in a tribute concert for the late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in 2019.On Sunday night, the Red Hot Chili Peppers honored Hawkins as well, at Jazz Fest in New Orleans on Sunday while frontman Dave Grohl, Hawkins’ widow Alison, and other members of the Foo Fighters looked on from the wings.
From graffitti tags to diss tracks, DJ Kay Slay’s hip-hop influence was generational
19.04.2022 - 04:05 / thefader.com
In an industry that overwhelmingly prizes youth and novelty over experience, Keith Grayson, best known as DJ Kay Slay, was a rare beacon of continuity across hip-hop’s many eras. Though his early beginnings as a graffiti artist, his run as a mixtape innovator, and his position as kingmaker during some of New York hip-hop’s most competitive years may seem like wildly disparate epochs at a glance, the self-proclaimed Drama King embodied hip-hop’s competitive spirit and no-holds-barred attitude in every role he took on.
That’s certainly why news of his untimely passing due to complications from COVID-19 hit such a wide variety of artists and fans so hard: only Kay Slay could speak on New York’s pre-Run DMC old school and post-Biggie peak with equal authority. Born on August 14, 1966, and claiming Harlem’s East River Projects, Kay Slay first found fame as a graffiti artist featured in Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary Style Wars.
Then known as Dez/Dezzy Dez, he boasted about tagging since 1978 under various names before becoming “the king of the 3 train and the 1 train.” Listening to his words featured in the film today, it’s hard to picture this soft-spoken teenager testifying to the power of subway art becoming the booming gravelly-voiced DJ who’d commentate rap beef years later. Even a quick glance at his pieces, however, makes the confidence he’d later deploy behind the decks completely apparent: his bold, criss-crossing lines and brash use of color grab your attention just as easily as his mixtape adlibs would over a decade later.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ World Premiere Photos: Tom Cruise Pilots Helicopter Onto Deck Of Aircraft Carrier For Massive Red Carpet Event
The Top Gun: Maverick world premiere is being held tonight on the USS Midway, the iconic Navy aircraft carrier docked in San Diego. Given that fact, of course Tom Cruise took the opportunity to pilot a helicopter onto the flight deck before sauntering over to the red carpet.
Livestream The Gala Premiere Of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ On The Deck Of An Aircraft Carrier
“Top Gun: Maverick” is about to have its long-awaited premiere.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Gabriela Barragan Confirms She and Wes O’Dell Are Dating, Gushes Over ‘Kind and Patient and Loving’ Boyfriend
All aboard the love boat! Below Deck Sailing Yacht star Gabriela Barragan confirmed that she and Below Deck season 9 alum Wes O’Dell are in a relationship.
‘The Every’ Adaptation in Development at HBO, Rachel Axler to Pen
HBO is developing half-hour series “The Every,” with writer Rachel Axler. The project is based on the Dave Eggers book of the same name.Here’s the logline: “When the world’s largest tech company merges with the planet’s dominant e-commerce site, it creates the richest and most dangerous – and, oddly enough, the most beloved – monopoly ever known: The Every.”“In this equally terrifying and hilarious cautionary tale, Dave Eggers shows us the increasing cost of the frictionless life that technology enables,” Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO programming, said in a statement.
Hip hop star DJ Kay Slay dead at 55 from COVID-19
Pioneering hip hop artist Keith Grayson, who performed as DJ Kay Slay and worked with top stars, has died of complications from COVID-19. Grayson's death at age 55 on Sunday was confirmed by his family in a statement released through New York radio station HOT 97, where he hosted "The Drama Hour" for more than two decades.
DJ Kay Slay Dead At 55 After Months-Long COVID Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
World-famous hip-hop DJ and radio personality DJ Kay Slay has passed.
Hip hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay dies of COVID-19 at age 55
NEW YORK -- Pioneering hip hop artist Keith Grayson, who performed as DJ Kay Slay and worked with top stars, has died of complications from COVID-19.Grayson's death at age 55 on Sunday was confirmed by his family in a statement released through New York radio station HOT 97, where he hosted “The Drama Hour” for more than two decades.“A dominant figure in hip hop culture with millions of fans worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will transcend generations,” the family statement said.Grayson grew up in Harlem, immersed in New York City's early hip hop scene. He got his start as a teenage graffiti artist and was featured in the 1983 hip hop documentary “Style Wars."He began selling bootleg mixtapes on street corners in the early '90s and released his first studio album, “The Streetsweeper, Vol.
DJ Kay Slay dies following COVID-19 battle
DJ Kay Slay, famed for his run of early 2000s mixtapes, has died following a four-month battle with Covid-19, his family have confirmed. He was 55. In a statement the family of Slay, real name Keith Grayson, said: "Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay.
Hip-Hop Star DJ Kay Slay Dies at 55 After Battle With COVID
A.D. Amorosi Hip-hop star Keith Grayson — the East Harlem graffiti tagger, radio disc jockey, mixtape master, MC battle referee and recording artist better known as DJ Kay Slay — died Sunday, due to complications from a four-month battle with COVID-19.
DJ Kay Slay, Radio Host and Hip-Hop Pioneer, Dies at 55 After COVID-19 Battle
New York radio station Hot 97, where he once worked. “Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay,” the statement read. “A dominant figure in hip-hop culture with millions of fans worldwide, DJ Kay Slay will be remembered for his passion and excellence with a legacy that will transcend generations. In memory of DJ Kay Slay, our family wishes to thank all of his friends, fans, and supporters for their prayers and well wishes during this difficult time.
DJ Kay Slay Dies: Influential Hip Hop Artist, New York Radio Host Was 55
Keith Grayson, the influential hip hop mixtape artist, graffiti icon and New York radio host known professionally as DJ Kay Slay, died on Sunday. He was 55. Grayson’s family confirmed the news Monday after he had been battling Covid-19.
DJ Kay Slay Dead at 55 After Months-Long Battle with COVID-19
DJ Kay Slay has sadly passed away.
DJ Kay Slay, Hip-Hop Pioneer and Radio Host, Dies at 55 After COVID Battle
Hot 97. The news was first reported by People.“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay,” the Grayson family said in a statement.
Hip-hop icon DJ Kay Slay dead at 55: Keith Grayson passed after COVID battle
The Sun reported.New York hip-hop radio station Hot 97, also honored the rapper in a statement to The Post, writing: “Hot 97 is shocked and saddened by the loss of our beloved DJ Kay Slay. We cherish the many memories created through the twenty-plus years he dedicated to the ‘Drama Hour.’ “A week prior to the his death, Wack 100 had revealed on Instagram that the musician was “still fighting” and needed all the prayers he could get.“He’s been off the #ECMO machine for a couple weeks now,” they wrote, “Let’s continue our prayers as our brother continues to fight.”Born in August 14, 1966 in New York City, Grayson began his career as a graffiti artist, and performed hip hop in his spare time.
DJ Kay Slay dies after months-long COVID battle
Kay Slay has died four months after being hospitalised with COVID.The news of the DJ’s death was revealed to HipHopDX by hip-hop promoter Van Silk, who confirmed that Kay Slay passed away yesterday (April 17). He was 55 years old.“Hip Hop lost a real gem,” Silk told the outlet. “My dear brother is gone.