Sway DaSafo, born Derek Andrew Safo to Ghanaian parents in North London, has died at the age of 44.
His death was reported on September 17, with a close friend confirming that he died at his home in Ghana.
Sway was a pioneering figure in British hip-hop and maintained strong ties to Ghana throughout his career.
He collaborated with Ghanaian artistes, including Jayso on Sarkodie’s 2009 track “Lay Away” and released “Black Stars” in 2008 to celebrate prominent Ghanaians in the diaspora.
His international career included a signing with Akon’s Konvict Muzik and collaborations with artistes such as Ed Sheeran, Lupe Fiasco, Kano and Riz Ahmed.
In 2005, Sway became the first unsigned rapper to win the MOBO Award for Best Hip-Hop Act, while his 2006 album This Is My Demo earned a Mercury Prize nomination.
He celebrated his 44th birthday on September 5, with his final reported social-media post showing him in Accra captioned “Chapter 44.”
He leaves behind four children and a musical legacy spanning Ghana, Britain and the international hip-hop scene.
