DJ Kay Slay Dead at 55

Instagram @djkayslay

Easter Sunday, the legendary graffiti artist and hip-hop icon, DJ Kay Slay, died following a prolonged battle with Covid 19.

The native New Yorker, born Keith Grayson, was 55. Grayson had been battling the disease for four months.

He was hospitalized in December and, reportedly placed on a ventilator.

At the time, his brother Kwame Grayson disputed those reports, telling HipHopDX, “It was a machine that was helping him breathe, but it was not a ventilator. I don’t know where they get this information."

First reported by his longtime friend and collaborator, hip-hop promoter Van Silk, his death was confirmed by his family in a touching tribute posted by New York radio station Hot 97, where his show the "Drama Hour" was a staple of the station's lineup for over 20 years.

“Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay,” the family wrote of Grayson who was also known as The Drama King and Dezzy Dez. “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.”

It continued, “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. We ask that you respect our privacy as we grieve this tragic loss.”

“Hip Hop lost a real gem,” Silk told HipHopDx. “My dear brother is gone. I’ve known him since he was 16 years old. He was my little brother...

“the world not only lost a real dedicated person to the culture of hip-hop but a source of bridging the gap in hip-hop. I’m gonna miss my little brother.”

Born in August 14, 1966 in East Harlem, Grayson began his career as a graffiti artist. He performed hip-hop in his spare time.

He revealed to Forbes in a 2019 interview that he never had intentions of it being more than a hobby.

 “It was just something to do that was fun and that I enjoyed doing," he said.

He has already gained a reputation as a prominent graffit artist when an appearance in the iconic hip-hop documentary "Style Wars," in 1983, cemented his place in hip-hop's zeitgeist.

He earned the moniker "Drama King" for being the go-between and referee of epic MC battles on his "Streetsweeper" series of mixtapes.

His debut album "The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1" dropped in 2003, and he went on to release five studio albums, 27 mixtapes and a joint album with DJ Greg Street.

Hot 97 posted its own tribute to Grayson on social media following the news.

"Hot 97 is shocked and saddened by the loss of our beloved DJ Kay Slay," the statment read. "We cherish the many memories created through the twenty-plus years he dedicated to the 'Drama Hour.' A cultural icon, Kay Slay was more than just a DJ, to us he was family and a vital part of what made Hot 97 the successful station it is today. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and fans worldwide and we will always and forever celebrate The Drama King's legacy."

A Word From The HOT 97 Family: 🕊️

RIP DJ Kay Slay pic.twitter.com/TawxjRSSRh

— HOT 97 (@HOT97) April 18, 2022

Archie Eversole, Rapper of Popular Sports Anthem 'We Ready,' Dead at 37

Courtesy Atlanta United 

A day after Georgia radio station Hot 107.9 FM announced his death citing "close sources" to the family, authorities confirmed the death of Atlanta-based rapper Archie Eversole, Thursday.

According to a statement released by the DeKalb County Police Department, the musician born Arthur Eversole, 37, and best known for his 2002 hit single "We Ready," was shot on March 25 in Decatur, Georgia, and was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"On March 25, 2022, Officers responded to the Chevron at 4410 Snapfinger Woods Drive in reference to a person shot," the statement reads. "Upon arrival, they located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound," the statement read. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries on April 3, 2022."

The police went on to say that officers had located the suspect at the location of the incident and taken him into custody and that he had been identified as Alexander Kraus, Eversole's brother. Kraus was initially charged with aggravated assault, but his charges were upgraded to murder after Eversole died.

A veteran of the Atlanta rap scene, Eversole's 2002 collaboration with Bubba Sparxx, "We Ready," rocketed up the charts and became the hip-hop stadium anthem of choice for multiple sports teams and leagues following its release.

The man who gave us “We Ready, the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old.
Rest In Peace Archie Eversole.
Prayers up to his family and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/Y4q55WzgWt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2022

The track which heavily sampled the 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam, helped his debut album, recorded when he was just 17-years-old, "Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style" to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

While he never matched the success of "We Ready" he continued to record, contribute and participate in the local rap community.

In 2018, he was chosen by Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United to create an anthem for the fledgling team. The result was “United We Conquer,” a rousing piece popular with supporters. Following the announcement of his death, the club released a statement saying, "we are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Archie Eversole."

"A staple in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, Archie adopted Atlanta United before our first season and continued to be one of our club’s most fervent supporters," it read.

Club statement on the passing of Atlanta hip-hop artist Archie Eversole. pic.twitter.com/PuT8xQUuUg

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 14, 2022

"In addition to his decorated musical career, his voice will long live in our supporters’ minds as ‘We Ready’ billows through the speakers for kick-off at Atlanta United matches. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.”

Fans and friends also took to social media to memorialize the fallen artist.

Former NFL Player Robert Griffin III summed up a lot of their sentiment on Twitter writing, “The man who gave us ‘We Ready,’ the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old. Rest In Peace Archie Eversole. Prayers up to his family and loved ones.”

Rap Legends and R&B Diva Added to National Recording Registry

A seminal album from the pioneers of alternative hip-hop, the definitive album from rap's Staten-Island-based supergroup and the work that introduced pop superstar Alicia Keys to the world, while earning her five Grammys, are among the 25 recordings to be inducted this year into the National Recording Registry.

Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced Wednesday that a Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 sophomore LP "The Low End Theory," the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 studio debut "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and Keys’ 2001 debut "Songs in A Minor" were chosen to be preserved for their historical importance.

“The National Recording Registry reflects the diverse music and voices that have shaped our nation’s history and culture through recorded sound,” Hayden said. “The national library is proud to help preserve these recordings, and we welcome the public’s input. We received about 1,000 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.”

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian of Congress, with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, selects 25 titles each year that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old.

 

There were several other notable albums joining those of the hip-hop and R&B legends on the list, including the Cuban musical ensemble's Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled debut, Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-winning “Nick of Time," and Linda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre,” a musical tribute to her Mexican-American roots.

Other non-musical recordings on the list include the complete presidential speeches of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, an interview with comedian Robin Williams, WSB-Atlanta's coverage of Hank Aaron's 715th home run and radio accounts of the 9/11 attacks.

Find the entire list of this year's selections below:

National Recording Registry, 2022 Selections

(chronological order)

“Harlem Strut” — James P. Johnson (1921)

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-1945)

“Walking the Floor Over You” — Ernest Tubb (1941) (single)

“On a Note of Triumph” (May 8, 1945)

“Jesus Gave Me Water” — The Soul Stirrers (1950) (single)

“Ellington at Newport” — Duke Ellington (1956) (album)

“We Insist!  Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” — Max Roach (1960) (album)

“The Christmas Song” — Nat King Cole (1961) (single)

“Tonight’s the Night” — The Shirelles (1961) (album)

 “Moon River” — Andy Williams (1962) (single)

 “In C” — Terry Riley (1968) (album)

 “It’s a Small World” — The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964) (single)

 “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” — The Four Tops (1966) (single)

 Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)

 “Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen (1975) (single)

 “Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey (1981) (single)

 “Canciones de Mi Padre” — Linda Ronstadt (1987) (album)

 “Nick of Time” — Bonnie Raitt (1989) (album)

 “The Low End Theory” — A Tribe Called Quest (1991) (album)

 “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” — Wu-Tang Clan (1993) (album)

 “Buena Vista Social Club” (1997) (album)

 “Livin’ La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin (1999) (single)

 “Songs in A Minor” — Alicia Keys (2001) (album)

 WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001)

 “WTF with Marc Maron” (Guest: Robin Williams) (April 26, 2010)

The Digital Media Association, a member of the National Recording Preservation Board, has compiled a list of some streaming services with National Recording Registry playlists here: dima.org/national-recording-registry-2022-inductees/.