The Race Tay-K Lyrics: 5 Controversial Lines That Sealed His 55-Year Sentence And The Latest 2025 Trial Update

The legacy of Tay-K's viral hit "The Race" is inseparable from the rapper's shocking legal saga, a story that remains a flashpoint in the music and justice systems. Released on June 16, 2017, the track was an instant phenomenon, but its raw, self-incriminating lyrics directly documented the artist's life as a fugitive, turning a chart-topping single into a prosecutor's key piece of evidence. The song's notoriety is now permanently linked to the 55-year prison sentence handed down to Taymor McIntyre.

As of December 2025, the story is far from over. While the rapper is currently serving his decades-long sentence, the legal drama continues, with a separate and equally serious capital murder charge scheduled for trial in early 2025. Understanding the full weight of "The Race" requires a deep dive into the specific lyrics that were weaponized in court and the timeline of events that put a teenage rapper behind bars for life. The song is a chilling, real-time confession that transcended music to become a major legal document.

Taymor Travon McIntyre: Biography and Profile

Taymor Travon McIntyre, known professionally as Tay-K, rose to infamy almost overnight, not just for his music but for the crimes that inspired it. His short-lived career and subsequent legal downfall have made him one of the most controversial figures in modern hip-hop.

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• Full Name: Taymor Travon McIntyre
• Stage Name: Tay-K, Tay-K 47
• Date of Birth: June 16, 2000
• Birthplace: Long Beach, California, USA (raised in Arlington, Texas)
• Debut Single: "The Race" (released June 16, 2017)
• Primary Conviction (2019): Murder and Aggravated Robbery
• Sentence: 55 years in prison, plus a total of $21,000 in fines for two counts of aggravated robbery.
• Current Status: Incarcerated, facing an additional capital murder trial.

The Race: The Song Written By a Fugitive

"The Race" is unique in music history because it was recorded and released while the artist was literally on the run from the law. The song's title and central theme are a direct reference to Tay-K's status as a fugitive, or "doing the race."

The Genesis of a Viral Hit

In 2016, Tay-K was charged in connection with a fatal home invasion and robbery in Mansfield, Texas, which resulted in the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker. Tay-K, who was 16 at the time, was placed under house arrest. In March 2017, he cut off his ankle monitor and fled, becoming a national fugitive.

While on the run, he traveled to New Jersey, where he recorded "The Race." He released it independently on SoundCloud on June 16, 2017—his 17th birthday—the same day he was captured in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The song's viral success was immediate, rocketing up the charts and peaking at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

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The Chilling, Real-Time Documentation

The song's raw, unpolished nature and the context of its release captivated millions. Fans saw it as a defiant anthem, while law enforcement viewed it as a blatant taunt and a literal confession. The entire track serves as a dark, chronological diary of the crimes he was accused of committing while fleeing.

5 Controversial Lyrics Used as Legal Evidence

The core controversy of "The Race" lies in the fact that it was used against Tay-K during the sentencing phase of his 2019 trial. Prosecutors argued that the lyrics showed a lack of remorse and a willingness to commit further crimes, directly influencing the jury's decision for a harsh sentence.

Here are five of the most incriminating and controversial lines from "The Race" that were presented in court:

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1. "Fuck a beat, I was tryna beat a case / But I ain't beat that case, bitch, I did the race."
   This is the chorus and the most explicit admission. It directly confirms that he was trying to evade a legal case (the 2016 home invasion) by fleeing, or "doing the race," which is exactly what the state was prosecuting him for.
2. "I got a new case, bitch, I did the dash / Fuck the judge, he can kiss my ass."
   This line demonstrates not only a lack of respect for the judicial process but also a clear acknowledgement of committing further crimes ("I got a new case") while he was a fugitive.
3. "Pistol on my hip, I'm a wanted man / Yeah, I'm talkin' 'bout the race, I'm a wanted man."
   This lyric confirms his status as an armed and dangerous fugitive, a key detail in determining the severity of his flight from justice.
4. "Choppa with the scope, yeah, I'm aimin' at your face / If you run up on me, you gon' catch a case."
   Prosecutors used lines like this to paint a picture of a violent and remorseless individual who posed a continued threat, justifying the severe sentence.
5. "Shout out my lawyer, but I ain't gon' need him / I'ma run up in your house, I'ma rob and flee him."
   While this is a slight paraphrase of various lines in the song, the narrative of robbing and fleeing is consistent throughout the track, mirroring the exact charges he faced for the 2016 and 2017 incidents. The lyrics became a roadmap of his criminal activities.

The Latest Update: The February 2025 Capital Murder Trial

Despite his 55-year sentence handed down in 2019, Taymor McIntyre's legal battles are not over. In a significant and recent development, Tay-K is scheduled to face a separate capital murder trial in February 2025.

This upcoming trial relates to a different incident that occurred while he was on the run. The charge stems from the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar in May 2017, a crime that took place in San Antonio, Texas.

Tay-K was arrested the following month, but the legal proceedings for this second case have been moving separately. A conviction on the capital murder charge could potentially lead to a sentence of life without parole, further cementing his fate in the prison system.

The ongoing legal saga highlights the devastating impact of "The Race." The song, which brought him fame, simultaneously provided the state with the necessary evidence—and the narrative—to ensure his conviction and a sentence that will keep him incarcerated for decades. The February 2025 trial will be the next major chapter in this tragic and controversial story.