The legal dispute surrounding unpaid royalties between Sexyy Red and the late Tay Keith has taken on new context following statements from both camps, which indicate the matter was close to being resolved before the producer’s passing.
Questions about the lawsuit resurfaced after Sexyy Red publicly mourned Tay Keith’s death, prompting some fans to revisit reports that he had filed legal action over royalties connected to their collaborations.
According to reports, Sexyy Red submitted a letter to the court on June 6 asking to be removed as a defendant in the case. In the filing, she reportedly argued that she was wrongly included in the lawsuit because artists do not directly control producer payments, which are typically handled by their record labels.
The St. Louis rapper expressed disappointment over being named in the case and emphasized that she and Tay Keith maintained both a strong professional relationship and a close friendship.
She also reportedly noted that if money was owed to the producer, she believed the label had already begun the process of resolving the issue. Additionally, Sexyy Red claimed she herself was still awaiting payment on several collaborative records, describing royalty distribution as part of the label’s accounting process after revenue is recouped.
According to her account, Tay Keith had also questioned why she was personally included in the lawsuit.
The legal dispute reportedly centered on royalties connected to 13 songs the pair worked on together during 2024.
Following renewed public attention, representatives for both sides issued statements clarifying the situation.
An attorney representing Sexyy Red’s label explained that royalty negotiations are handled by record labels rather than artists. The attorney stated that discussions with Tay Keith’s legal team were already in their final stages before the producer’s unexpected passing and added that efforts are now being expedited so his estate can receive full compensation as soon as possible.
A representative for Tay Keith’s estate echoed that position, emphasizing that the disagreement was between the respective labels—not between Tay Keith and Sexyy Red personally.
The representative described Sexyy Red’s inclusion in the lawsuit as a legal formality and stressed that the producer continued to consider her a close friend. According to the statement, the two artists had even been working together in the studio just days before his death, with new music reportedly in progress.
The representative also expressed appreciation for Sexyy Red’s public condolences and confirmed that both parties had been cooperating throughout the negotiations.
The statements have helped shift the conversation away from personal conflict and toward the business mechanics of music royalties, reinforcing that the dispute primarily involved contractual obligations between labels rather than animosity between the collaborators.
As the industry continues to mourn Tay Keith’s passing, both sides have indicated they remain committed to ensuring his estate receives the compensation owed for his contributions while preserving the friendship he shared with Sexyy Red.
