Nigerian-born Grammy-winning Songwriter, Mark Orabiyi, Stabbed to Death in London

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Jun 8, 2026 #British music industry, #Britney Spears songwriter, #Craig David collaborator, #Dua Lipa songwriter, #East London murder investigation, #Grammy-winning songwriter, #Khalid songwriter, #London crime news, #London stabbing, #Mark Orabiyi, #Mark Orabiyi death, #Metropolitan Police investigation, #Nigerian diaspora in UK, #Nigerian killed in London, #Nigerian music news, #Nigerian-born songwriter, #songwriter stabbed to death, #Talay Riley, #Talay Riley death, #Usher songwriter

Ololade Adeyanju/

The British music industry is mourning the death of Nigerian-born songwriter and performer, Mark Orabiyi, professionally known as Talay Riley, after he was fatally stabbed in East London.

Orabiyi, 35, was a respected figure in international music circles whose songwriting credits included work for global stars such as Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Usher, Craig David and Khalid.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing in the area of Pankhurst Avenue and Rayleigh Road in East London on Friday.

Emergency services attended the scene, but Orabiyi was pronounced dead despite efforts to save him.

A second man, believed to be in his 20s, was also injured in the incident and was taken to hospital. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The killing has prompted a murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, with detectives appealing for witnesses and anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward.

Born to Nigerian heritage and raised in Britain, Orabiyi built a reputation as one of the UK’s most accomplished contemporary songwriters.

Working under the stage name Talay Riley, he contributed to a number of commercially successful projects and earned industry recognition for his work on Grammy-winning music.

His songwriting portfolio spanned pop, R&B and urban music, with credits linked to some of the biggest names in global entertainment.

Beyond his success behind the scenes, he was also known as a recording artist in his own right and was widely admired by fellow musicians.

News of his death sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the music industry.

Friends, collaborators and artists who had worked with him remembered him as a gifted songwriter, mentor and compassionate individual whose influence extended far beyond the recording studio.

His brother, fellow songwriter, Scribz Riley, paid an emotional tribute, describing the loss as devastating and remembering Orabiyi for his generosity, talent and dedication to those around him.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing remain under investigation.

Police said two men, aged 27 and 24, and a 25-year-old woman were initially arrested following the incident.

The 24-year-old man and the woman have since been released with no further action, while the 27-year-old man has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who is leading the investigation, said officers were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and urged anyone with information to contact police.

The death of Orabiyi has sent shockwaves through the British music community.

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