Sway Dasafo death: Award-winning London rapper dies age 44 as KSI leads tributes to 'true legend'

London rapper Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44, as tributes pour in for the “true legend”.

The MOBO Awards announced the news in a statement alongside a video of Sway, whose real name is Derek Safo, winning best hip-hop act in 2005.

“Sway will always hold a special place in MOBO history,” it wrote.

Sway DaSafo’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed

AFP/Getty

“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.”

A cause of death has not yet been confirmed. He had been in Ghana at the time of his death, The Guardian reports.

The rapper had faced health issues several years before, revealing he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2010. However, treatment was successul and he entered remission.

Fellow artists and fans rushed to pay tribute to the late rapper, who was a well-known independent artist.

KSI shared a picture of the two of them together and was quick to pay tribute as he took to Instagram with a snap of the two of them and wrote: “Ah man, this is a lot. Sway, Derek, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

KSI paid an emotional tribute to the late rapper

PA Wire

The rapper was reportedly instrumental in developing the career of KSI, the YouTube sensation and rapper who is now a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

“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.”

He continued: “44 is too young to leave. You still had so much to do. You were like a father figure to me. Whenever I had problems or issues, I would go to your studio in London for advice and you always knew what to say.

“This one hurts a lot.”

BBC star Kash Ahmad, who revealed that the pair had been in contact with one another whilst they both faced health struggles, wrote on Instagram: “Devastated to hear of the sad news today, the passing of a personal friend, a true legend and pioneer in the UK rap game.”

Top Boy co-star Kadeem Ramsay offered his condolences, writing: “Rest Up Legend”, while Kidulthood and Adulthood actor Adam Deacon also posted a tribute to DaSafo.

“We never did get to have that linkup. But I know he's looking down, giving me guidance in his own way.”

Lemar also paid his respects to the

Getty

Lemar said he had “no words” upon learning of the rapper’s passing, whilst Clara Amfo added: “My goodness, RIP.”

Breaking into the scene in the early 2000s, the north London rapper became monumental within the UK-hip hop scene after his historic MOBO Award in 2005, which he won without even having released an album.

He then went on to release the critically acclaimed album This Is My Demo, which bagged the rapper a Mercury Prize nomination the following year.

During his career, he released a total of five studio albums and two EPs. Discussing his career, the rapper said he felt like he did not fit into one specific genre.

“UK garage was big at this time but I just couldn’t do it because I never felt the vibe of the scene suited me.

"British hip-hop was just so dry and grey, hiplife was a no-no ‘cause I couldn’t rap in Twi, drum’n’bass just hurts my head sometimes and I can’t sing good so R&B was out the question! I never felt at home anywhere.”

Talking about his battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2016, Sway said: “I found a lump on my neck and was initially told it could be an infection, so I was given some antibiotics. But the lump was getting bigger, not smaller, so I was told I would need to have a biopsy of the lump as a precaution.

“When I got a phone call saying I needed to go in to discuss the results of the biopsy I genuinely wasn’t concerned. I was 28 at the time and never in my wildest dreams thought they would find anything.

“When the doctor told me I had significant traces of Hodgkin lymphoma, I did not know what it meant; I had not heard of Hodgkin lymphoma before. I certainly didn’t think it was cancer. It was when he said the word ‘cancer’ that it really hit me.”

He shares four children - Jalil, AJ, Inaya and Imara - with his wife Helen. In a recent social media post he described himself as a single father.