As tributes poured in after Tay Keith’s death on June 18, details emerged about a lawsuit over alleged unpaid royalties tied to Sexyy Red’s Rebel label—while her team said negotiations were already near resolution.
The tributes started flowing the moment Tay Keith’s name hit timelines on Thursday, June 18. Artists and fans posted prayers, memories, and thank-yous for a producer known for shaping the sound of modern rap.
But as the grief spread, so did a tougher detail: reports said Tay Keith had an unresolved financial dispute with Sexyy Red’s Rebel label before he died.
Court filings described a royalty fight that, on paper, didn’t end cleanly. A lawsuit Tay Keith filed in March alleged that he produced 13 songs for Sexyy Red in 2024—including her hit “Pound Town”—yet claimed he never received payment for his work. Tay said those records brought in “millions” from sales and streaming. but he wasn’t paid what he believed he was owed.
The complaint also claimed the label refused to provide an accounting of revenue from the records, which Tay said prevented him from collecting his share of royalties. In the suit, he asked the court to force the label to turn over financial records, confirm what he was owed, and award damages.
Tay Keith’s representative later clarified the legal target of the case. The rep said the dispute was between the parties’ respective labels. and that naming Sexyy Red in the lawsuit was described as “a legal formality. ” not an allegation directed at her personally. The representative said both labels were cooperating and that the matter was close to being resolved.
“The dispute is between the parties’ respective labels, and naming Sexyy Red in the lawsuit was a legal formality. Any allegations are directed at the label, not Red personally. Both labels have been cooperating, and the matter is close to being resolved. Tay and Red remained friends and he considered her a sister. They were in the studio together as recently as last week working on new music. We appreciate Red’s sentiments and condolences during this difficult time,” the rep said in a statement reported by TMZ.
Sexyy Red’s label responded after the dispute became public. Attorney Dameka Davis released a statement on behalf of Rebel saying Sexyy Red was heartbroken over Tay Keith’s passing.
“Sexyy Red is overwhelmed with grief at the devastating loss of her dear friend and artistic collaborator, Tay Keith. Tay was a brilliant artist. and through his close musical partnership with Sexyy. he became a genuine friend to everyone at Rebel. We send our sincerest condolences to Tay Keith’s family and loved ones,” Davis said.
Davis also said the label was working with Tay’s team to finalize a royalty agreement and compensate him for his contributions. She added that the negotiations were in the final stages before his death. and that the label was expediting next steps with Tay Keith’s attorney so payment could be made to his estate.
“Royalty negotiations are handled by labels — not artists — and I’ve worked closely with the legal counsel and team for Tay Keith to finalize the royalty agreement to fully compensate him for his valuable contributions as a musical collaborator with Sexyy. In fact, we were in the final stages of getting Tay Keith fully compensated before his shocking passing this week. We are expediting the finalization of this work with Tay Keith’s attorney so that full payment can be made to his estate as soon as possible. ” Davis added.
Even with the lawsuit news circulating, Sexyy Red still honored Tay in her own way. She posted on Instagram with a tribute and photos of the two together. calling him her brother and saying they were the “best duo.” Her caption read: “BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT WE BROTHERS BUT NOT RELATED 🩸💔 I LOVE YOU BRUDDAAA @taykeith STILL DA BEST DUO US 5LIFE 🙏🏾🙏🏾.”.
The emotional timing hits harder because Tay Keith’s death itself is still being handled with limited public details. As previously reported, Tay Keith passed away on Thursday, June 18. The Metro Nashville Police Department said it found him in his apartment after responding to a welfare check. Officials have not confirmed the cause of death.
Behind the condolences and the studio photos. the figures in the filing—13 songs from 2024. royalties he says totaled “millions. ” and a request for financial records—now sit alongside a question many fans are asking: what happens to the unfinished business when the person at the center is no longer here to negotiate it to the finish line.
Tay Keith Sexyy Red Rebel Records royalty dispute lawsuit Pound Town Instagram tribute Metro Nashville Police Department June 18
Wait so she didn’t pay his royalties? that’s foul.
I saw the headline and immediately thought it was Tay Keith vs Sexyy Red like personally, but then they keep saying it’s between labels?? Idk man, either way somebody got money problems while he’s gone.
The label is saying it’s a ‘legal formality’… but lawsuits always say that lol. If he made 13 songs and the records made millions, how you not gonna pay the producer? Also ‘accounting’ sounds like they didn’t wanna show receipts.
This is why I never trust the music business. They say it’s ‘cooperating’ like that means anything. Tay Keith has been around forever right? I’m betting he did get paid something and now they’re arguing over the leftover pennies, but still, tragic timing with the death.