The rise of Tay-K is both fascinating and troubling.
The 17-year-old rapper has blown up over the summer thanks to his single “The Race,” which debuted at #70 on the latest Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is definitely catchy, but the sordid backstory of its creator has raised questions about exactly why people are so compelled by the record.
The teen sensation was born in Long Beach, California before moving to Arlington, Texas with his family. In an interview with Say Cheese TV, he said his mother’s gang experience influenced him, affecting both his music and actions in the streets. But that life led him down a violent path.
Tay-K’s first run-in with the law came when he was connected to the murder of 20-year-old Sara Mutschlechner in 2015. Authorities determined he was in the backseat of an SUV during a New Year’s Eve shooting in Denton, Texas. Eric Johnson, a former Marine who rapped under the name Santaga Sage, was ultimately convicted as the shooter and sentenced to 44 years in prison.
Things got worse in the summer of 2016. Tay-K was allegedly involved in the murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker, who was killed during a home invasion in Mansfield, Texas. Tay-K was arrested in connection to the murder, which soon led to him becoming a fugitive.
On March 27, 2017, Tay-K tweeted, “Fuck dis house arrest shit fuck 12 they gn hav 2 catch me on hood.” He cut off his ankle monitor and went on the lam, allegedly engaging in more violent behavior while on the run.
During his time as a fugitive, Tay-K became the suspect of a murder that occurred in San Antonio, Texas. He was also accused of robbing and brutally beating a 65-year-old man in Arlington, Texas.
The law caught up to the controversial artist on June 30 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. “The Race” was quickly released on the Buffet Boys YouTube channel after his arrest and began its meteoric rise. The song unabashedly embraced his felonious background with the opening lines: “Fuck a beat, I was tryna beat a case/But I ain’t beat that case/Bitch, I did the race.”
The record became a viral hit, getting extra boosts in recognition from the likes of Travis Scott, Playboi Carti and Kodak Black, who has even said he’d like to sign Tay-K. As of Tuesday (August 15), “The Race” has well over 19 million views on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k489NgZfmVM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VtJOczAuzk
Plenty of rappers, including Lil Yachty, have released their own versions of “The Race” and the original has officially hit the Billboard charts, all of which will only increase the song’s notoriety. At this point, its success is undeniable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrtHLEcSktk
Still, there’s no separating the man kid from the art. Would people be so intrigued by this record if it wasn’t for the unsavory things he’s accused of doing?
Tay-K is currently in custody facing a murder charge at the Lon Evans Correction Center in Tarrant County, Texas. Authorities hope to try him as an adult.
The death sentence sure will though
Lol rappers dick ride so much it’s crazy..
OK, I see robbing or selling drugs because you tryna live. But killing random people deserves life imprisonment/death penalty.
Notice how it’s the new generation rappers supporting this dumb kid and not bothering to pay attention to how f’ed this kid is. These fools are going to endorse a mass murderer in the making. Clearly this kid is just a brat that was raised by ignorant parents that let him run loose. Can rappers please learn to have some morals and stop carelessly supporting other rappers that don’t deserve to be free.
??????
Say it again…. I don’t think they heard you.. Can’t believe we celebrating this trash, dude clearly has some talent (at the very least he ain’t mumble rappin), but based off his seriously long rap sheet he has accumulated at the young age of 17 dude is a liability. How hard is it not to be associated or accused of murder?????? It’s not hard. If he is guilty of what he is accused for (and I’m leaning towards the fact that he is guilty cause you just cannot coincidentally be around numerous murders and be innocent) than he shouldn’t be celebrated at all! I’m sure waiving all those guns around in his video will not help his chances come trial.
Natural Born Killers wasn’t just a movie…
Mais… mais c’est de la merde !!! // This ignorant non-talented kid is supported by the new generation of ignorants… actually, so far, it does make sense. Hope he could stay some times in jail, so that he could think about what he could bring to society apart from waving guns and f*cking everybody up. Hip hop is dead.
This is garbage.. i root for Hip Hop DX. i really do. The horrible sites like WSHH is what made this type of sh!t acceptable. The world believes ANYTHING on that side IS hip hop. It’s up to us and others to provide balance but if the OUTLETS are not allowing quality in just because an artist isn’t “popping”, then WHO REALLY WANTS CHANGE???
what did who do?
Ya Boom Bap bums just mad cause it’s popping more then any crap Washed up premier has done the last 10 years.,.
Nothing to do with boom bap or trap, dumbass. If it’s wack, it’s wack.
Keep Fboy s*** up. This is exactly why the minority community is screwed. 2nd generation gang member, and instead of breaking the cycle y’all wanna sign his ass?
Yachty ass looking fraud now, talking about he all about positivity. Chances are young boy a murderer and you backing his ass. Smh.
Fuck this kid and anybody that supports him