Talay Riley, Acclaimed Songwriter Behind Hits for Dua Lipa, H.E.R. and Britney Spears, Dies at 35

Talay Riley, the British singer-songwriter whose work helped shape hits for some of pop and R&B's biggest stars, has died at the age of 35 after a fatal stabbing in East London.

Riley, born Mark "Yinka" Orabiyi, was found with stab wounds in a residential garden on Friday morning, according to London's Metropolitan Police. Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly after 9 a.m. local time, but Riley was pronounced dead there. A second man, believed to be in his twenties, also sustained injuries during the incident, though authorities said those wounds were not considered life-threatening.

Police launched a homicide investigation and initially arrested three individuals in connection with the attack. One suspect was later released on bail pending further inquiries, while two others were released without charges. Detectives say the investigation remains active and have appealed to potential witnesses and anyone with security footage from the area to come forward.

News of Riley's death sent shockwaves through the music industry, where he had quietly built one of the most impressive songwriting résumés of his generation. Though his name was not always widely recognized by the public, his work helped define songs recorded by some of the biggest artists in contemporary music.

His family and longtime manager, Cleo Amedume, confirmed his death in a statement shared on social media, remembering him not only for his musical achievements but also for the impact he had on those closest to him.

"Talay will fondly be remembered by those who knew him publicly for his incredible talent as a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist," the statement read. "For those that knew and loved him personally, it is his humor, generous spirit, and unmistakable presence that will be missed the most."

Over the course of his career, Riley established himself as one of the United Kingdom's most sought-after songwriters, contributing to records across pop, R&B, hip-hop, and dance music. His songwriting credits included Last Dance by Dua Lipa, Young Dumb & Broke by Khalid, and Lights On by H.E.R. He also worked on songs recorded by Britney Spears, Jessie J, Jason Derulo, and Nick Jonas, earning a reputation as a versatile writer capable of moving effortlessly between genres.

One of the defining milestones of his career came through his work on H.E.R.'s self-titled 2017 project. Riley contributed to "Lights On," a track featured on the album that ultimately won Best R&B Album at the Grammy Awards. The victory earned Riley a Grammy as part of the project's songwriting team and solidified his standing among the industry's elite writers.

Before becoming known primarily as a songwriter, Riley first emerged as both a performer and collaborator within the British music scene. His breakthrough came through his work with Chip on the rapper's debut album, I Am Chipmunk. Riley co-wrote and appeared on multiple tracks, including "Look for Me," which became a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom and introduced him to a wider audience.

He later pursued his own recording career, releasing solo material while continuing to write for other artists. His 2011 mixtape Going to California included the single "Make You Mine," one of his most successful releases as a lead artist. Even as his profile grew behind the scenes, Riley never abandoned his ambitions as a performer and continued releasing music throughout his career.

In recent years, his influence has remained strong across both British and American music. He contributed to projects by Paloma Faith, Kelela, and Kehlani, while also working closely with rising British group Flo. His contributions to Flo's debut album earned him another Grammy nomination, underscoring his continued relevance more than a decade after his breakthrough.

According to recent social media posts, Riley had also been preparing new music of his own and appeared to be working toward another chapter in his recording career before his death.

Tributes quickly poured in from artists who had worked with him or been influenced by his music. Among those sharing messages of support and remembrance were Stormzy, Kehlani, Khalid, and Ella Mai.

His death leaves a significant void in the industry, while the songs he helped create ensure that his legacy will continue long after his passing.