Buffalo, NY – The Griselda crew was dealt a massive blow when they learned their longtime friend and collaborator DJ Shay had died. Shay has been along for the Buffalo collective’s meteoric rise to fame and was instrumental in getting them off the ground.
On Wednesday (August 19), Westside Gunn credited Shay for his success in a heartfelt Instagram tribute.
“U was there EVERY step of the way,” he wrote. “It was an honor to help your dream come true for Buffalo Hip Hop, u looked at me and said ‘thx to you it’s no more Unsigned city… it’s signed city now.’ u wanted this shit more than ALL of US, it wouldn’t be a Benny, WSG, Armani, Conway, BSF if it wasn’t for You.
“to watch u DJ was special it was like u were a kid behind those boards, your last thing u said to me was when u beat Corona u wanted a Buffalo Kids Chain. I pray to GOD he got u Icey bc u are the biggest BUFFALO KID of them All
View this post on InstagramU was there EVERY step of the way, It was an honor to help your dream come true for Buffalo Hip Hop, u looked at me and said “thx to you it’s no more Unsigned city… it’s signed city now” ?? u wanted this shit more than ALL of US, it wouldn’t be a Benny, WSG, Armani, Conway, BSF if it wasn’t for You to watch u DJ was special it was like u were a kid behind those boards, your last thing u said to me was when u beat Corona u wanted a Buffalo Kids Chain I pray to GOD he got u Icey bc u are the biggest BUFFALO KID of them All I pray for your family and this is the longest I’ve probably ever cried besides Bacon and ChineGun I’m heart broken, I’m a miss fuckin wit u, wats a GXFR show without the LEGENDARY DJ SHAY ??? pray for Benny as well he was with him 15 STRONG, now I’m a have to play Bubba Chuck Allday ???? RIH @djshaybsf #BUFFALOKIDS #LEGEND #Culture #BSF #GXFR
Benny The Butcher also expressed his sorrow in an Instagram post, writing, “This hurt right here this was my mentor coach father figure all tht I feel like somebody stole something from me @djshaybsf.”
View this post on InstagramThis hurt right here this was my mentor coach father figure all tht I feel like somebody stole something from me @djshaybsf
In addition to DJing for the crew, Shay was also an experienced producer for BSF Records (Black Soprano Family). He crafted beats for songs such as Benny’s “Crown,” Conway The Machine’s “Piece Of My Heart” and El Camino’s “Lot & Abraham.”
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Shay clearly had a profound effect on Westside who ended his Instagram post with, “I pray for your family and this is the longest I’ve probably ever cried besides Bacon and ChineGun I’m heart broken, I’m a miss fuckin wit u, wats a GXFR show without the LEGENDARY DJ SHAY. pray for Benny as well he was with him 15 STRONG, now I’m a have to play Bubba Chuck Allday.”
No cause of death has been revealed although Westside did allude to Shay having a battle with COVID-19 earlier this year.