Tay Keith Honored with Memphis Key, Day, and Music Lab Memphis honors late producer Tay Keith with key to the city, Tay Keith Day on Sept. 20, and a music lab at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Memphis honored the legacy of record producer Tay Keith on Monday, Sept. 21, with a key to the city and an official day in his hometown. City officials, including Memphis Mayor Paul Young, presented the key and legislative proclamations to Keith's family during a ceremony. The mayor also announced that Sept. 20, which was the producer's birthday, will now be recognized as Tay Keith Day. Memphis Celebrates Tay KeithThe ceremony celebrated Keith's contributions to music and his impact on the Memphis community. Keith's family accepted the honors on his behalf. In a statement, the family expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of keeping his memory alive through initiatives that support young creatives.During the event, officials unveiled plans for the Tay Keith Music Lab in partnership with Memphis Public Libraries. The lab will be located at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library and will offer a beatmaking crash course to aspiring creatives, producers, and musicians. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art resources to help young people develop their skills.The family also announced an archival collection that will be preserved as part of the historical record of Memphis and Shelby County, along with the 901Voices oral history initiative. These elements will serve as a living legacy where future creators can work, history can be preserved, and Tay's story can continue to be heard.Music Lab and Archival CollectionMayor Young praised the initiative, stating that the funding of the music lab is an investment in the next generation of Memphis talent and a fitting tribute to Tay Keith. He added that Keith's legacy will live on by giving young people the tools and space to create, learn, and build their own future in music. Dr. Eric D. Harris, director of Memphis Public Libraries, also commented, saying that dedicating the Cloud901 music production lab to Tay Keith is a meaningful way to honor a beloved Memphian and his timeless work.The Tay Keith Music Lab aims to provide teens with the freedom to find their own voices and to foster the next wave of music producers and DJs. The family expressed that Keith would be proud of this community effort and of continuing to impact young creatives in Memphis, which was always a big part of who he was as a person in both his life and music.Legacy of Tay KeithTay Keith, whose real name was Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, died at 29 years old. He was found in his Nashville apartment on June 18. According to Metro Nashville Police, there was no foul play involved in his death. Keith was known for his knocking drums and cinematic production, which helped take the next generation of Memphis music to the world. He was considered a sonic architect of hip-hop in the late 2010s and into the first half of the 2020s.His production credits include hits for major artists, and his influence continues to be felt in the music industry. The establishment of the Tay Keith Music Lab and the archival collection ensures that his legacy will inspire future generations of musicians and producers in Memphis and beyond.