Sway DaSafo, an award-winning rapper raised in North London, has passed away, with many of his Hip-Hop peers sharing condolences. According to reports, Sway DaSafo just celebrated his birthday recently and shared that he was working on new music.
The news of Sway DaSafo’s passing came by way of the MOBO Awards Instagram page, which shared a video of Sway.
From IG:
We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sway.
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.
It was a huge moment. Not just for Sway, but for UK Hip Hop. 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 went on to leave his mark as an artist and champion of British music, but we will always be proud that he was part of the MOBO story and of the history we shared together.
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.
Rest in peace, Sway
Kream Developments, a car customization company that worked frequently with the artist, also shared the news. The company was alerted to Sway’s passing, with the owner of the account expressing that they shared their health updates.
From IG:
Devastated to hear of the sad news today, the passing of a personal friend, a true legend and pioneer in the Uk rap game @swaydasafo
We’ve been staying in touch recently sharing our struggles with health issues and keeping each others spirits up, especially as Fathers and staying strong for our kids. He leaves behind 2 sons and 2 beautiful little girls that I had the pleasure of talking to on FaceTime recently.
Thoughts and prayers with him and his family
Sway was born Derek Andrew Safo on September 5, 1982, to Ghanaian parents. Influenced by both American rappers and those in his local scene, Sway embarked on a music career in his early 20s.
One of Sway’s claims to fame was becoming the first unsigned rapper to win a MOBO Award in 2005, beating out 50 Cent and The Game for the Best Hip Hop recognition. He released his debut album, This Is My Demo, the following year via his Dcypha Productions label.
Sway released five studio albums, a pair of EPs, and a collaborative album with the group, One. He also went on to star in the crime drama Top Boy, along with other roles.
In a BBC report, it was shared that Sway was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2010. It was not stated what Sway died from. He is survived by four children, whom he raised as a single father in his parents’ homeland of Ghana.
Many of Sway’s peers have shared their condolences online, and we’ll share some of them below.
Sway DaSafo was 44.
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Photo: Getty
