Tay-K, the American rapper known for his 2017 hit single "The Race," has been sentenced to an additional 80 years in prison for a second murder conviction. The 24-year-old, whose real name is Taymor McIntyre, is already serving a 55-year sentence for his involvement in a 2016 home invasion that left one man dead.
The recent sentencing, handed down on April 15, 2025, comes after a jury in Bexar County, Texas, found Tay-K guilty of the murder of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar, who was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in 2017. Prosecutors stated that Tay-K, along with a group of accomplices, had picked up Saldivar under the pretense of a photoshoot before the situation escalated into violence.
Saldivar was found dead in the parking lot of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Antonio on April 23, 2017, after being shot following an altercation with Tay-K. The rapper, who was 17 at the time of the crime, had been on the run from authorities for his earlier murder charge when the incident occurred.
During the trial, Tay-K's defense team argued against the charges, claiming that the police investigation was flawed and relied heavily on unreliable witness statements. His attorney, John Hunter, asserted, "Taymor McIntyre is not guilty of capital murder, murder, or manslaughter, and the reason for that is very simple. You have to do it right. You have to do the work. And this case clearly demonstrates the work wasn’t done." Despite these arguments, the jury ultimately convicted him of the lesser charge of murder, avoiding a capital murder conviction that would have resulted in a life sentence without parole.
The 80-year sentence adds to the 55-year term Tay-K received in 2019 for the murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker during the botched home invasion in Mansfield, Texas. In that case, Tay-K was accused of shooting Walker, and his defense claimed the original plan was robbery, not murder. The judge in that case ruled that he would serve a concurrent 30-year sentence for aggravated robbery counts related to the incident.
Tay-K's rise to fame was marked by his controversial lifestyle and lyrics that often reflected his criminal activities. His song "The Race," which peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification, was released on the same day he was arrested by U.S. Marshals in New Jersey in connection with the 2016 murder case.
Born in Long Beach, California, and later moving to Texas, Tay-K dropped out of high school and began his music career as part of the rap group Daytona Boyz. His breakout single came in 2017, shortly after he fled from house arrest while awaiting trial for the murder of Walker. The music video for "The Race" features him posing next to a wanted poster, a stark reminder of his fugitive status at the time.
As the legal proceedings unfolded, Tay-K’s family background was also brought into focus. His sister, Kayla Beverly, testified about their troubled childhood, which included being removed from their home due to their mother’s drug addiction and subsequently facing abuse in the foster care system. Judge Stephanie Boyd, who presided over the recent sentencing, acknowledged Tay-K’s difficult upbringing but emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "You’re going to have to make changes. From what I can tell, his mother wasn’t a good parent to him. His father wasn’t a good parent to him. Child Protective Services was not good..."
Despite the grim realities of his situation, Tay-K’s story has sparked conversations about the intersection of fame, crime, and the justice system. His case raises questions about the influence of music and lifestyle choices on youth, particularly in the context of violence and criminal behavior.
As Tay-K faces the prospect of spending the majority of his life behind bars, his story serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring artists and fans alike. The rapper's trajectory from a promising music career to a lengthy prison sentence underscores the consequences of choices made in pursuit of fame and the darker side of the entertainment industry.
With his additional 80-year sentence, Tay-K's future in music and life outside of prison appears bleak. His case continues to draw attention, reflecting broader societal issues regarding youth, crime, and the impact of cultural narratives in hip-hop.
