Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley has died after a fatal stabbing in East London, prompting a murder investigation by police and an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians, including Stormzy and Craig David.
Talay, born Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was attacked around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, according to local media reports. Emergency responders attended the scene but were unable to save the 35-year-old artist.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command have launched a homicide investigation into the killing.
Confirming his death, Talay’s family described the loss as devastating.
“It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi, professionally known as Talay Riley, passed away yesterday morning,” the family said in a statement.
The family remembered him as a Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist whose warmth, generosity and vibrant spirit touched countless lives.
“We are deeply grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support that we have received through messages, calls and visits over the past hours,” the statement added.
Talay, the brother of acclaimed music producer Scribz Riley, enjoyed a successful career spanning more than a decade in the R&B industry. He secured a publishing deal with Global Publishing at just 18 and later signed with Jive/Sony Records after appearing on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single.
In an emotional tribute shared on Instagram, Scribz Riley described his brother as a mentor, inspiration and source of light to many.
“My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation,” he wrote.
Reflecting on his brother’s impact, Scribz added:
“Yinka wasn’t just my brother. He was my mother’s son, a friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives. 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.”
He continued:
“The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted. You inspired so many people and your legacy will continue to live on through your music, your family, your friends, and everyone blessed enough to have known you. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me and my family, we appreciate you all.”
Tributes continued to flood social media following news of Talay’s death, with artists including Stormzy and Craig David—who collaborated with him on the 2018 album The Time Is Now—among those mourning the loss of the respected singer and songwriter.
Police inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing remain ongoing.
