DJ Kay Slay remains one of the most respected DJs in hip hop. In 2011, his interview show has had explosive features with a unique and eclectic array of emcees, ranging from newcomers like Mac Miller and Jon Conner to industry veterans like Black Rob. Slay has maintained his cache in hip hop circles by always remaining tied to hip hop’s more underground sensibility while holding onto his mainstream visibility.

Kay Slay’s influence was evident in the summer of 2011. The famed DJ brought former rival 1990s crews; 2Pac’s former protégés the Outlawz and Notorious B.I.G. associate Lil Cease. He had the two parties on in tandem on his track “Bury the Hatchet” in a show of solidarity and to bury any lingering animosity.

Kay’s highly-anticipated Ride or Die is expected to be released in November 2011 on his Street Sweeper Imprint. He made the announcement that it will be his final album. “There comes a time in everyone’s life when they decide to fall back and we gotta show the young cats the way," DJ Kay Slay said in an interview. "It’s not a retirement, its just a fall-back situation. Let them take 80 artists around and call other DJ’s that are supposed to look out for you.” The single “60 Second Assassins” featured such heavyweights as Busta Rhymes and Twista as well as veteran emcees Layzie Bone and Jaz-O.