Talay Riley, a Grammy-winning songwriter known for hits by Dua Lipa and Britney Spears, has died at age 35 after a stabbing in East London.
Riley, whose real name was Mark “Yinka” Orabiyi, was found with stab wounds in a garden around 9 a.m. on Friday and pronounced dead at the scene. A second man in his 20s was injured but not critically. Metropolitan Police arrested three people on suspicion of the killing, though two were released without further action and one remains on bail. Riley’s family and manager, Cleo Amedume, confirmed the death in an Instagram statement. They noted his talent as a Grammy-winning songwriter and highlighted his humor and generous spirit that friends and family will miss. His credits include Dua Lipa’s “Last Dance,” Khalid’s “Young Dumb & Broke,” and H.E.R.’s “Lights On,” the last of which earned a Grammy for Best R&B Album. He also wrote for Britney Spears, Jessie J, and others, and recently contributed to albums by Paloma Faith and Kehlani. Riley’s brother, Scribz Riley, shared a tribute describing him as having one of the purest hearts and noting the outpouring of love from peers including Stormzy and Kehlani.
