Dancehall Pioneer Daddy U-Roy Dead At 78

Iconic Reggae/Dancehall pioneer Daddy U-Roy has died at the age of 78.

Daddy U-Roy whose voice pioneered the sound of Reggae/Dancehall throughout the 70s has died.

The veteran entertainer died on Wednesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Kingston. According to reports he recently underwent surgery following an undisclosed illness.

Earlier today British label Trojan Records took to Instagram to confirm his death in a statement. “we are very sad to announce that pioneering DJ who revolutionized the sound of Jamaican music in the early Seventies – Ewat Beckford aka U Roy”.

“Never before him, nor for a long time after him, had any artist been able to simultaneously hold the top three positions on the Jamaican charts with three consecutive singles,” the statement added. “Even the later international fame of Bob Marley never afforded that particular ‘late great’ a comparable level of chart action.”

Daddy U-Roy is hailed as “the originator” of toasting on records that shaped Dancehall and early Hip-Hop.

Tributes for the late veteran have poured via social media, with several entertainers paying homage. Dancehall superstar Shaggy was one of many to salute the iconic veteran for his contributions to music.

“Today we lost one of our hero’s !! A true legend in this game of dance hall/ Reggae if your a fan of sound system, then your a fan of Stur Gav sound. With such greats as Colonel Josey Whales and Charlie Chaplin, pioneers in this game … with a catalogue of amazing recordings U Roy was a master at his craft. Rest Well daddy Roy!! R.I.P. walk good,” Shaggy posted.