Musician who wrote songs for multiple singers stabbed to death in London
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: C Brandon/Redferns
Talay Riley, a British musician who worked with Dua Lipa, Britney Spears and Zendaya, has died after suffering stab wounds at an address in east London.
Last Friday (5 June), Metropolitan Police officers were called to a property on Rayleigh Road, Silverton, at 9am following reports that a man had been stabbed.
Police said that the 35-year-old man, whose real name is Mark Orabiyi, had been found in the garden by paramedics, who pronounced him dead at the scene.
His family is being supported by specialist officers, according to officials. It’s understood that formal identification has yet to take place.
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The BBC reports that another man, thought to be in his 20s, was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds.
The man, who has yet to be named, is not thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
Police confirmed that three people had been arrested on suspicion of murder, including a 27-year-old who has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Two others, including a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, have been released with no further action, following police questioning.
"This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts remain with Mark’s family and loved ones,” said Joanna Yorke, Detective Chief Inspector.
She noted that officers were ‘particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have CCTV or other footage from the morning of the incident that could assist our investigation’.
Tributes for the Grammy award-winning artist have been led by his brother Michael, better known as record producer and songwriter Scribz Riley.
“My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation.”
Describing his sibling as a ‘friend to many’ as well as a ‘mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives’, the music mogul said Talay had ‘one of the purest hearts’ he had ever known.
“He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit. The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted,” he continued.
Adding that the star’s legacy would ‘continue to live on through’ his music, family and friends, Scribz penned: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me and my family, we appreciate you all.”
Craig David, who worked with Talay on his record, ‘The Time is Now’, has also penned a tribute, claiming his ‘beautiful energy [would] continue to be felt and shown from the other side’.
Chip, who co-wrote ‘Oopsy Daisy’ with Talay in 2009, said: “You ain’t deserve to go out like that fam. Fly high, bro.
“Your pen will live forever. What a day, man. What a life… RIP Talay Riley.”
Claiming he would ‘cherish’ their memories forever, Chip, whose real name is Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, wrote: “I’ll cherish the memories forever. Prayers and thoughts go out to your family. From pirate radio and Chanel U teens to #1 and platinum. Penaliens. We did that.
“God bless you, man. Hail up all the other fallen soldiers for me up there until we meet again. Sad fam. RIP Talay (Tension) Riley…”
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two's Fleur East added: “What a supremely talented soul!! I can’t believe it. May his soul rest in peace. Sending so much love.”
As well as writing songs, such as ‘In My City’ for Ellie Goulding, ‘Bounce’ for Iggy Azalea, ‘Last Dance’ for Dua Lipa, and ‘Truth or Dare’ for Kelela, Talay featured on various tracks, including Wilkinson’s ‘Dirty Love’, and Chip’s ‘Look For Me’.