Talay Riley
By Victory Oghene
This is the sad story of how United Kingdom based, Nigerian-British born singer and Grammy Award winner,
Mark Yinka Orabiyi, popularly known as Talay Riley was stabbed to death at the age of 35 in East London.
The incident took place around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, according to local outlet Newham Recorder.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but the Grammy winner could not be saved.
Homicide detectives from the specialist crime command have launched a murder investigation into the incident.
Talay’s death was also confirmed in a statement released by his family. They described their loss as an “overwhelming sadness”.
The family remembered Riley not only for his professional accomplishments but for his character.
“It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi professionally known as Talay Riley passed away yesterday morning,” the statement reads.
“Talay will fondly be remembered by those who knew him publicly for his incredible talent as a Grammy Award winning, multi platinum selling songwriter & artist.
“For those that knew and loved him personally it is his humour, generous spirit and unmistakable presence that will be missed the most.”
The family also expressed gratitude for the public’s support following the tragedy.
“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.
“Thank you for your continued consideration and sensitivity at what is a devastating time for us all.”
Talay, the brother of music producer Scribz Riley, spent more than a decade shaping the R&B genre.
He first broke into the industry at 18 after signing a publishing deal with Global Publishing.
His career gained momentum with a feature on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single, followed by a signing with Jive/Sony Records.
Over the years, he toured the UK and the US alongside artists such as Skepta, Usher, and Trey Songz, and collaborated with Kehlani, H.E.R., Khalid, and the rising US group 2BYG.
