AceShowbiz - Sexyy Red has formally requested a judge to remove her from a lawsuit concerning unpaid royalties filed by Tay Keith prior to his death. The rapper's legal team submitted documents, including a letter to the presiding judge, asserting that she should not be a defendant in the case.

The documents, obtained by TMZ on July 1, 2026, indicate that Sexyy Red was recently made aware of her inclusion in the lawsuit and disputes the allegations presented. She emphasized in her letter dated June 6 that she is solely an artist and does not have the authority to pay producers, as this responsibility lies with the record label.

In her correspondence, Sexyy Red described her professional and personal relationship with Tay Keith as both strong collaborators and close friends. She expressed confidence that the label is addressing the royalty payments owed to the late producer. Additionally, she noted that there are multiple tracks they worked on together, including some for which she has not yet received payment, explaining that such payments follow a label-driven recoupment process.

Tay Keith and Sexyy Red collaborated on more than a dozen songs before his passing in June 2026, including the popular single "Pound Town." The lawsuit alleges that Tay Keith was not adequately compensated for his contributions to these projects. However, Sexyy Red mentions that Tay Keith himself had indicated she should not be named in the lawsuit and was unsure why her name was included.

A representative for the late producer confirmed that the dispute centers on the involved labels, clarifying that naming Sexyy Red in the suit was a legal formality rather than a reflection of personal fault. The representative stated that any claims are directed at the label, not at Sexyy Red personally.

Furthermore, Dameka Davis, legal counsel for Sexyy Red's label, affirmed that royalty negotiations are managed by record companies, not individual artists. Davis noted ongoing collaboration with Tay Keith's legal team to finalize agreements ensuring the late producer is properly compensated for his work with Sexyy Red.

Tay Keith was found deceased in Nashville on June 18, 2026, at 29 years old. Authorities have yet to release information regarding the cause of death. The situation has raised questions about outstanding royalty payments and contractual responsibilities within the music industry.

As this legal matter unfolds, Sexyy Red continues to distance herself from direct financial obligations tied to the dispute, emphasizing the role of record labels in managing artist and producer payments. Representatives for both parties have been contacted for comment but have not issued further statements.

This case highlights ongoing complexities within music industry royalty payments, especially following the untimely death of a key collaborator like Tay Keith. Fans and industry observers await further developments as the labels work toward resolving the outstanding financial issues.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Xxlmag.