Keith Grayson

died on Sunday, aged 55, due to complications caused by Covid-19.

His family confirmed

the news in a statement

released by New York radio station HOT 97, where he hosted

"The Drama Hour"

for more than two decades.

"As a dominant figure in

hip hop culture

with millions of fans around the world,

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 the early

New York

hip hop scene .

He started out as a teenage graffiti artist and appeared in the 1983 hip hop documentary "Style Wars."

He began selling bootleg mixtapes on the streets in the early '90s and

released his first studio album, "The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1," in May 2003.

He recorded several more albums and worked with Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss and Busta. Rhymes.

"Hot 97 is shocked and saddened by the loss of our beloved DJ Kay Slay," the station said.

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