DJ Kay Slay was honored with a street naming right in his native Harlem, New York on Sunday.
The celebration took place on the legendary DJ’s old stomping grounds between 109th and 105th street and First Avenue, where a large group of family and friends filled up the streets to honor the late hip-hop pioneer. In footage shared on social media, the festivities kicked off with guests taking in some hip-hop sounds while embracing one another. The actual sign can be seen on 105th and First.
Some of Kay Slay’s peers were in attendance including Busta Rhymes, Papoose, Terror Squad and more. DJ Kay Slay’s street naming was announced last month through his brother, Kwame Grayson, on Instagram.
"Monumental for the Grayson family East Harlem and East-River projects!" Grayson captioned the post.
DJ Kay Slay died at the age of 55 in April 2022 following a serious bout with COVID-19. He began his hip-hop career as a graffiti artist under his “Spade” moniker. However, once graffiti became less popular within hip-hop culture, Kay Slay picked up DJing where he really took off.
After being motivated by fellow DJs Kid Capri and Lovebug Starski, Kay Slay went full force into his DJ craft and released his first major label project titled Streetsweepers Vol. 1 on Columbia Records.
That album opened the door for Kay Slay to have a hand in the rise of iconic MCs like 50 Cent, Dipset, Kendrick Lamar, and so many more, by putting them on his mixtapes, giving them radio play, or allowing them to open shows.
