Acclaimed British-Nigerian singer and Grammy-winning songwriter Talay Riley (born Mark “Yinka” Orabiyi) was killed on Friday morning, June 5, 2026, following a violent knife attack in Silvertown, East London. He was 35 years old.
Riley had worked with A-list music stars like Britney Spears, Dua Lipa, Zendaya, and others.
British songwriter Talay Riley was tragically killed after being stabbed in London
At around 9 am on Friday, the Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a double stabbing on Pankhurst Avenue. Despite the efforts of first responders, the songwriter was declared dead at the scene from fatal stab wounds. Another victim, a man in his 20s, survived the attack.
The investigation is being led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, under Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke. On June 5, police arrested three suspects on suspicion of murder: a 27-year-old man (currently released on bail), alongside a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman (both released with no further action taken).
Riley’s family responded to the tragedy with a poignant statement, celebrating his legacy and thanking the public for their outpouring of support.
“Mark was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He brought love, light, and joy to our family and to all who knew him. We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit, and remarkable talent,” they shared. “His presence touched many lives, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
The British-Nigerian songwriter’s turning point came when he wrote the chart-topper “Oopsie Daisy” for London rapper Chipmunk. He gave up his degree and launched a successful music career, a gamble that paid off when he secured a major publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18.
Riley worked on songs such as Spears’ “Clumsy,” Lipa’s “Last Dance,” and Nick Jonas’ single “Levels.” He also released music on his own, including his hit “Make You Mine.”
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Originally reported by Sreemanti Sengupta on Mandatory
