British-Nigerian songwriter and singer Talay Riley has died at the age of 35 following a stabbing incident in east London, police have confirmed.
Officers were called to an address in Silvertown in the early hours of 5 June after reports of a suspected stabbing, where Riley, whose real name was Mark Orabiyi, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police said a second man was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds. Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder, but two were later released with no further action, while another suspect was released on bail pending further enquiries.
Riley was widely recognised for his songwriting work with some of the music industry’s biggest names. He co-wrote tracks including Dua Lipa’s “Last Dance”, Britney Spears’ “Clumsy” and Zendaya’s “Close Up”, while also collaborating with artists such as Stormzy, Craig David, Chris Brown and Khalid.
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In a statement, his family described him as a beloved son, brother and friend whose kindness and talent touched many lives. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music world, with fellow artists and collaborators remembering Riley not only for his musical achievements but also for the positive impact he had on those around him.
