DJ Kay Slay, maven of New York hip-hop, dies from Covid-19 complications

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 released over 500 mixtapes in 10 years since his first in 1994

featuring artists going tit-for-tat with each other on tracks rarely found on the radio.

His debut album, 2003's "The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1" was the first marketed to a national audience.