Beloved British rapper Sway has died, aged 44
Sway became the first independent artist to win a MOBO Award in 2005, triumphing over the likes of 50 Cent and The Game Continue reading...
Beloved British rapper and MOBO Award winner Sway has died, aged 44.
The Black music and culture organisation shared news of Sway's death via Instagram on Thursday, September 17; a close friend of the musician later confirmed to The Guardian that he had died at his home in Ghana. No cause of death has been given at the time this story was published.
"We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sway," a tribute from the MOBOs reads, which was shared alongside a video of the rapper picking up his award in 2005.
"Sway will always hold a special place in MOBO history. In 2005, still independent and without a debut album released, he won Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards, beating global heavyweights including 50 Cent and The Game."
Sway, real name Derek Safo, became the first unsigned artist to pick up the prestigious award a year before the release of his acclaimed debut album ‘This Is My Demo’, which landed in 2006 and was soon nominated for a Mercury Prize.
The MOBO Awards called it a "huge moment, not just for Sway, but for UK hip hop". They wrote: "At a time when British rappers were still fighting to be recognised alongside their US counterparts, his win made a real statement about the talent, creativity and potential coming out of the UK."
Sway was born in Hornsey, London, where he learned to produce music and began working across a number of styles, from UK garage to grime, drum ‘n’ bass to hip hop.
He created his own label and production group, Dcypha Productions , and was soon releasing his own music, picking up recognition for his versatile style and unique storytelling abilities.
"Our love and deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones, friends and everyone who grew up with and was inspired by his music," the MOBOs said.
Fellow UK artists such as Scratcha DVA , Lemar , and DJ Semtex have paid tribute to Safo since the news of his passing. "We lost a great one," DJ Semtex wrote via Instagram. "An elite lyricist. A highly original creative wordsmith who was a UK Rap pioneer. A true self-made entrepreneur."
A weekly rundown of everything you need to know in music and culture
