Nigerian singer Talay Riley who lives in Great Britain has been stabbed to death in East London

Talay Riley, Nigerian-British musician and composer, was tragically stabbed in East London at the age of 35. Family, friends and music industry bigwigs have paid tribute to the late UK-based musician.

The artist, whose full name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was allegedly attacked on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, east London, on Friday morning.

According to reports, emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene at 9am, but efforts to save the 35-year-old singer were in vain.

Following the incident, homicide officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Special Crime Command opened a homicide investigation to establish the circumstances of his death.

The singer’s family confirmed the terrible news in a statement, calling his death a devastating loss.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi, professionally known as Talay Riley, passed away yesterday morning,” family members said.

They praised him as an incredibly skilled musician whose influence extended beyond music, saying he would be remembered for his wit, generosity and bright personality.

The family also expressed their gratitude for the help and condolences they received from friends, work colleagues and the public following the tragedy.

Talay Riley has had a successful music career spanning more than a decade. He first gained attention after receiving a publishing contract at the age of 18, and eventually became famous through collaborations with various internationally known artists.

He has collaborated and toured with several notable artists including Skepta, Usher, Trey Songz, Kehlani, HER and Khalid.

Tributes continue to pour in from across the entertainment industry.

His younger brother, Scribz Riley, paid a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing Talaya not only as a brother, but also as a mentor, inspiration and source of light for many others.

Popular British rapper Stormzy and singer Craig David were among the musicians who publicly expressed their grief. Craig David recalled Talay’s wonderful spirit and influence on those around him.

While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the death.