By Desire Emmanuel
A British-Nigerian singer and songwriter, Mark Olayinka Orabiyi, also known as Talay Riley, has been stabbed to death in London, Yahoo News reported on Saturday, June 6.
The songwriter, who had worked with artistes such as Chipmunk, Usher, Dua Lipa and Britney Spears, was identified by the British Police as the man killed in a Silvertown double stabbing.
Police were called to reports of a knife attack in Pankhurst Avenue on June 5 around 9:00 a.m.
Officers found the 35-year-old singer with stab wounds in the garden of a property near Rayleigh Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to information provided by the British Metropolitan Police, he signed his first major publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18, and then went on to write rapper Chip’s number-one UK single Oopsie Daisy.
Among the several tributes shared online was one from Chip where he said on an Instagram post: “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.”
The rapper, born from Tottenham, continued saying: “I’ll cherish the memories forever fam, prayers and thoughts go out to your family.”
One of his fans said on X: “Another senseless killing of a young, British male. Such a talent gone at such a young age. Rest in paradise, Talay.”
Detective, Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, said: “My thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the man who has died.
“I know that the community will be understandably concerned by the incident. There remains a large police presence in the area, and I would urge anyone with concerns to speak with officers at the scene.
“Three people have been arrested in connection with the stabbing and our enquiries are continuing at pace.
“I would ask anyone with information or CCTV footage that could assist our investigation to get in touch with police.”
