Talay Riley, a Grammy-winning songwriter who wrote hits for Dua Lipa, Khalid, and other major artists, was killed at age 35 in a stabbing in Silvertown, east London on June 5, 2026.
Quick Facts
- Riley was found with stab wounds in a garden near Rayleigh Road around 9 a.m. on June 5 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- His real name was Mark Orabiyi; he was born in 1990 and raised in east London.
- He won a Grammy for his work on H.E.R.’s “Lights On” in 2017 and received a Grammy nomination in 2025 for his collaboration with girl group Flo.
- Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder; a 27-year-old was released on bail, while a 24-year-old man and 25-year-old woman were released with no further action.
Riley emerged as a rising talent at age 18 after securing a publishing deal with Global Publishing. He began his songwriting career working with UK rapper Chip on the “I Am Chipmunk” album in 2009, before writing “Snap” for Tinie Tempah the following year.
Over the next decade, Riley became a prolific songwriter for major international acts. His credits included work with Britney Spears on her 2016 album “Glory,” Khalid on the 2017 single “Young Dumb & Broke” (which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100), and collaborations with Chris Brown, Usher, Jason Derulo, and others. He also worked with DJs Martin Garrix and David Guetta, and contributed three tracks to Craig David’s 2018 album “The Time is Now.”
A second man in his 20s was found nearby with multiple stab wounds that were not life-threatening or life-changing, police said. Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Metropolitan Police appealed for witnesses and anyone with CCTV footage from the morning of the incident.
Tributes poured in from across the music industry following his death. Stormzy, JLS frontman Oritse Williams, rapper Wretch 32, and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan all posted condolences. His brother Michael Orabiyi, a record producer and songwriter known professionally as Scribz Riley, wrote on Instagram that his heart was “shattered” and described Talay as a “friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives.”
Sources
- BBC — Confirmed age 35, Grammy-winning status, death in double stabbing in Silvertown, real name Mark Orabiyi, work with Dua Lipa, Khalid, Flo, and other artists, arrest details, and tributes from Stormzy and others.
- London Evening Standard — Detailed profile confirming age 35, real name, June 5 stabbing date, location in Silvertown, Grammy win for H.E.R.’s “Lights On,” Grammy nomination for Flo in 2025, career timeline starting at age 18, and extensive songwriting credits.
