British-Nigerian singer and songwriter Talay Riley, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, has died after being stabbed in East London in what police are treating as a murder investigation.
The attack reportedly occurred in the Silvertown area around 9am on Friday. Emergency services responded quickly but were unable to save the 35-year-old artist.
The Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command has taken over the investigation, and no arrests have been publicly confirmed as of yet.
Talay Riley was known in the UK music industry for his work as a singer and songwriter, with a career spanning more than a decade. He signed a publishing deal at a young age and later worked with major labels including Sony/Jive.
He also contributed to multiple projects in the R&B and pop space, collaborating with various artists and producers. His brother, music producer Scribz Riley, confirmed the death in an emotional statement describing him as a loving, talented, and influential figure.
Tributes have continued to pour in from the music community, including artists like Stormzy and Craig David, highlighting his impact behind the scenes in the UK music industry.
The killing has sparked renewed concerns about knife crime in London, which has remained a persistent issue in recent years, particularly among young adults.
