The music world is mourning one of its most gifted behind-the-scenes voices.
Talay Riley, a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum songwriter, died on June 5 in East London. He was 35. Born Mark Orabiyi, Riley was found with stab wounds in the garden of a residential property in the Silvertown district of East London and was pronounced dead after being transported to hospital.
A second victim survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder, with one man released on bail and two others released with no further action. The investigation by London's Metropolitan Police is ongoing.
Though many listeners may not have recognized his name, Riley's songwriting credits touched some of the most defining songs of the past decade - Dua Lipa's "Last Dance," Khalid's "Young Dumb & Broke," H.E.R.'s "Lights On," Britney Spears' "Clumsy," Nick Jonas' "Levels," and Jason Derulo's "If It Ain't Love." His work on H.E.R.'s self-titled debut earned him a Grammy when the album won Best R&B Album at the 61st Grammy Awards. As recently as 2025, he received a Grammy nomination for his contributions to British girl group FLO's debut album Access All Areas.
His brother Michael Orabiyi, known in the industry as Scribz Riley, shared a tribute on Instagram: "He had one of the purest hearts I've ever known. He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit."
Riley's manager Cleo Amedume said in a statement: "Talay will fondly be remembered by those who knew him publicly for his incredible talent as a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist. For those that knew and loved him personally, it is his humor, generous spirit, and unmistakable presence that will be missed the most."
Tributes poured in from Stormzy, Wretch 32, Khalid, Kehlani, and others across the industry. Wretch 32 wrote: "Your brother was a gem and will be missed and never forgotten. Never."
The songs Talay Riley wrote will outlast the grief. That is the quiet testimony of a life spent giving his gift away.
