U Roy Death: Dancehall/reggae Legend, Daddy URoy Is Dead

Dancehall/reggae Legend, Daddy URoy Dies At 78

One of the pioneer of the toasting MC style used in Hip Hop and Dancehall-Reggae today, Ewart Beckford OD popularly known by his stage name as Daddy U-Roy has passed. The Jamaican dancehall legend was reported to have died today February 17 2021.

The news of his death was confirmed in a social media post today. His cause of death was not disclosed to the public.

Born in Jones Town, Saint Andrews Parish, Kingston, Jamaica, on 21 September 1942. He was raised within a religious and musical family; his mother was an organist for the choir at a local Seventh-day Adventist church.

Wake the town and tell the people we got to do better to record and preserve the legacy, life and experience of our greats before they transition. Rest in hi-power the originator Daddy U Roy. 🙏

— Pop Style (@AllianceJamaica) February 18, 2021

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of one of the greatest
Reggae artists that I grew up listening to
UROY R.I.P. Sir pic.twitter.com/Lk1hwtd19u

— AG9@AG986848817 (@AG947243386) February 18, 2021

Den, dis truue?
I just wrote about him today in my diss chapter… talking about the origins of dub, toasting, riddim etc..
this is so sad to hear.
Walk good Uncle U Roy. https://t.co/z6YDm9vH1r

— Rashana (@lascholarnoire) February 18, 2021

His unique style of play made him be known as the originator. He began his music career way back in 1961 though his rise to fame wasn’t as fast as he expected then. The stage name U-Roy came from a young family member unable to correctly pronounce Ewart.

U-Roy’s breakout song was in his 1975 studio project “Dread In A Babylon” which received massive positive reviews from people around the world.