MOBO Award-winning rapper and Top Boy star Sway DaSafo dies aged 44 as KSI leads tributes: 'You were one of a kind, man'

MOBO Award-winning rapper Sway DaSafo has tragically passed away aged 44 at his home in Ghana

The musician, whose real name was Derek Safo, also starred in the early series of Top Boy as Ross Rosten after rising to fame as the first unsigned rapper to win at the MOBO Awards in 2005. 

His cause of death has not been confirmed. Sway was previously diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 but treatment was successful and he entered remission. 

Confirming his death in a statement on Thursday, the MOBO Awards wrote: '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.

MOBO Award-winning rapper and Top Boy star Sway DaSafo has died aged 44 as KSI leads tributes: 'You were one of a kind man'

'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.'

The Daily Mail have contacted Sway's representatives for comment.  

Fellow rapper and YouTuber KSI 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.

'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. 

'From smoke and mirrors to no sleep to Lamborghini you were there to help. It was so crazy because I was a fan of you. 

'I remember I used your songs in my top 5 goals of the week videos back in the day and then the fact that you reached out to me to not only to thank me but to also help me musically…You were one of a kind man. I wish you were still here.'

He added: '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. Just feel like this year is really testing me man. Life right now is just trying to make me break. But I know you’d say that I’m a fighter and that I’ll get through it, however it just gets harder and harder man. 

'You’re a king Sway. I’ll never forget you. My heart breaks for all your children that will no longer have you there. And all your friends and family that will no longer get to see you anymore. It’s not fair. Life isn’t fair. 

'You will always be a legend. RIP Derek.'

Fellow rapper and YouTuber KSI was quick to pay tribute as he took to Instagram and wrote: ' Ah man, this is a lot. Sway, Derek, thank you for everything you’ve done for me'

Sway's most famous song included his Top 10 hit Level Up as well as his breakout single On My Own.

He also made cameos in films The Grind and The Chase.

DJ and record producer Kream also paid tribute as he penned: 'Devastated to hear of the sad news today, the passing of a personal friend, a true legend and pioneer in the UK rap game.'

'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.'

Clara Amfo added: 'My goodness, RIP.' 

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.'

The star went on to receive ABVD chemotherapy and radiotherapy and went into remission at the end of 2010.