British rapper Sway dies aged 44
British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo has passed away at the age of 44. Known for his literate style and independent approach to the music industry, he was a pioneer in the UK grime scene and the first unsigned artist to win a MOBO award.
Why it matters
Sway was a significant figure in the development of British hip-hop and grime, influencing the industry's shift toward independent distribution.
Image source, Getty Images By Mark Savage Music correspondent Published 12 minutes ago The award-winning British-Ghanaian rap artist Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44.
He was the first unsigned rapper to win a Mobo Award in 2006, and scored a top 10 hit in 2012 with the single Level Up.
The news was first shared online by the Mobo organisation, and confirmed to the BBC by the musician's friend Kash Ahmad, who said he died at his home in Ghana.
Sway was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and went into remission later that year.
Sway was born Derek Andrew Safo in London, albeit accidentally, while his mother was on a stop-over between Amsterdam and her native Ghana.
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