Tributes paid to British rapper Sway, who has died aged 44

British-Ghanaian rapper Sway, who was known for inspiring a generation of Black British musicians, has died aged 44.

The news was announced by the MOBO awards, with whom Sway won Best Hip-Hop act in 2005, making him the first unsigned artist to do so.

"We will always be proud that he was part of the MOBO story and of the history we shared together," reads the statement posted to social media. "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 rapper was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2010 and went into remission later that year. No cause of death has been announced.

Born Derek Safo and later known as Sway Dasafo, the musician was born in north London to Ghanaian parents. He learned music production while attending Highgate Wood Secondary School.

Later, he became a producer and started out in an underground group called Phynix Crew and later joined Fifth Element in 2003, before going solo and releasing a series of mixtapes. He also founded his own independent record label, Dcypha Productions, early in his career.

In 2006, after winning the MOBO award the year prior, his second single, 'Little Derek' broke the UK Top 40. That became the cornerstone track of his debut album, This Is My Demo, which earned him a Mercury Prize nomination.

Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists the likes of Akon, Ed Sheeran, Lupe Fiasco and Idris Elba. Sway was also instrumental in developing the career of KSI, who went on to have success as a YouTuber and musician.

Alongside his music, he also made television appearances in the series Top Boy and 2012 feature film, The Grind.

He is survived by his four children: Jalil, AJ, Inaya and Imara. He described himself as a "proud single father" in a social media post in June and celebrated his 44th birthday earlier this month.

Tributes have poured in from fellow musicians, including KSI, who shared a photo of the two together and wrote that Sway was "like a father figure" to him.

"Sway, Derek, thank you for everything you've done for me," he wrote. "You believed in me when many didn't. You gave me a chance when many didn't.

"Musically people laughed me off as a joke, but you saw my potential and helped me grow as an artist ... I wish you were still here. 44 is too young to leave. You still had so much to do ... You will always be a legend. RIP Derek."

 

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Top Boy star Kadeem Ramsay also paid tribute, writing: "Rest Up Legend."

Singer Lemar wrote: "Your talent knew no bounds. Blessed to have shared the stage with you. Wish we'd have been able to have one more sit down. One more life discussion. But hey... we will one day. Until then. Rest in peace my friend. Love, love and more love."