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. 1," in May 2003. Grayson released several more albums and worked with the likes of 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 in a statement.
American Society of Cinematographers To Honor Andrzej Bartkowiak With Life Achievement Award
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is set to honor five of its members at the 39th Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Gala on February 23, 2025. Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Michael Goi, ASC, ISC, will be recognized with the Career Achievement in Television Award. John Simmons, ASC, will be awarded the Presidents Award, and Joan Churchill, ASC, will be celebrated with the Lifetime Documentary Award. Pete Romano, ASC will be honored with the Curtis Clark Technology Award. The ASC Awards Gala will take place at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., and will be live streamed globally, allowing cinema fans and industry professionals alike to join in the celebration of excellence in cinematography.
Known for his evocative visual style. Bartkowiakโs breakthrough film was the gritty urban thriller โPrince of the City,โ which marked his first collaboration with Sidney Lumet. Over the next 12 years, Bartkowiak shot 11 of Lumetโs films, including โDeathtrap,โ โThe Verdict,โ โDaniel,โ โFamily Businessโ and โA Stranger Among Us.โ His taut camera work of Jan de Bontโs blockbuster โSpeedโ further elevated his profile.
โThroughout Andrzejโs illustrious career, he has crafted unforgettable visual narratives that have resonated with audiences and inspired countless filmmakers,โ said ASC president Shelly Johnson. โHis remarkable body of work stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the art of cinematography.โ
Bartkowiakโs wide-ranging, memorable films include James L. Brooksโ โTerms of Endearment,โ John Hustonโs โPrizziโs Honor,โ Ivan Reitmanโs โTwins,โ Stephen... Read More