British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44 at his home in Ghana, according to the BBC.
The news of his death was first announced online by the Mobo organisation, which runs the UK music awards. It was subsequently confirmed to the BBC by the artist's friend, Kash Ahmad, who stated that DaSafo passed away at his residence in the West African country.
Authorities and representatives have not yet released an official cause of death. DaSafo was diagnosed in 2020 with Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and limits the body's ability to fight infection. He entered remission later that same year.
Independent music career
DaSafo was born in London after his mother had an unexpected travel layover in the city while flying between Amsterdam and Ghana. He grew up in the British capital, where he began writing and recording his own music as a young artist.
Instead of signing with a major record company early on, he established his career as an independent performer. He launched his own record label to distribute his music, selling physical mixtapes and CDs directly to fans at local street markets, community fairs and independent record shops across London.
Mobo Awards and collaborations
His grassroots popularity culminated in national acclaim in 2005, when he won best hip-hop artist at the Mobo Awards. The ceremony, established in Britain in 1995 to honour Music of Black Origin, saw the independent London artist defeat high-profile American stars, including 50 Cent and The Game, for the prize.
Following his award victory, DaSafo released his debut studio album, This Is My Demo, in 2006. The record featured the single Little Derek, which reached the UK Top 40 singles chart and introduced his distinctive style to a mainstream audience.
DaSafo achieved further critical and commercial success with subsequent album releases, including Deliverance and Verses from the Vault. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he also collaborated with major international musicians, including Akon, Mark Ronson, Ed Sheeran and Childish Gambino.
