DJ Kay Slay’s public memorial to be held at Apollo Theatre in Harlem

In honor of the late DJ Kay Slay, family and friends are invited to a public memorial service at the Apollo Theater in Harlem on Sunday, April 24.

According to Billboard, the beloved music executive will be given a musical hero’s tribute in his hometown starting at 10 a.m. ET, which will be preceded by a vehicle and horse and carriage procession down 125th Street, before heading to East Harlem.

DJ Kay Slay, born Keith Grayson, died on Sunday, April 17, after a months-long battle with COVID-19. He was 55.

His family confirmed the news in a statement to New York City’s WQHT radio, where Grayson also worked as a DJ. “Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay,” the statement reads. “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. 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.”

Grayson was a radio DJ, music executive and recording artist who began selling mixtapes in 1993. He dropped his first album, The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1, in 2003, followed by The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2, More Than Just a DJ, The Big Brother, and Hip Hop Frontline. His latest album, The Soul Controller, was released in 2021.

Hot 97 shared the details of Sunday’s event in an announcement on Instagram.