British Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo, one of the pioneering voices of British hip hop and the first unsigned artist to win a MOBO Award, has died aged 44.

The rapper, whose real name was Derek Andrew Safo, died at his home in Ghana, according to a close friend who confirmed his death following an announcement by the MOBO Awards.

No cause of death has been publicly announced.

Sway was born in Hornsey, North London, to Ghanaian parents and became one of the prominent figures in the rise of British hip hop during the 2000s.

His music combined storytelling, social commentary and distinctive wordplay, while his Ghanaian heritage remained an important part of his identity throughout his career.

SWAY MADE MOBO HISTORY

Sway achieved a major breakthrough in 2005 when he won Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards.

He was still unsigned at the time and had not yet released his debut album.

The victory made him the first unsigned artist to win the award and placed him ahead of internationally established artists including 50 Cent and The Game.

The achievement became an important moment for independent British hip hop and helped establish Sway as one of the country's emerging rap voices.

His debut album, This Is My Demo, followed in 2006 and received widespread critical recognition.

The album was later nominated for the Mercury Prize.

LITTLE DEREK BECAME ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE SONGS

Among Sway's best known recordings was Little Derek, a deeply personal track built around storytelling about his family and upbringing.

The song became one of the defining records of his early career.

Other prominent tracks in his catalogue included Still Speedin', Level Up and On My Own.

His ability to combine fast paced delivery with personal storytelling helped distinguish him within Britain's developing hip hop and grime scenes.

Sway later worked with several prominent artists during his career, including Akon, Ed Sheeran, Kano and Riz Ahmed.

STRONG CONNECTION TO GHANA

Although born and raised in London, Sway maintained strong connections with his Ghanaian heritage.

His 2008 song Black Stars celebrated prominent people of Ghanaian heritage across the diaspora.

He also collaborated with Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, strengthening his connection with Ghana's music industry.

Sway reportedly spent time in Ghana before his death and died at his home in the country.

His connection to both Britain and Ghana made news of his death particularly significant across the music communities of the two countries.

SWAY ALSO HELPED DEVELOP OTHER ARTISTS

Sway's influence extended beyond his own recordings.

Through Dcypha Productions, he worked with and supported developing artists.

Among the most prominent names associated with his work was KSI, who later became an internationally successful online creator, musician and boxer.

Following news of Sway's death, KSI was among the artists and public figures paying tribute to him.

Other figures from Britain's music and entertainment industries also shared tributes remembering his contribution to UK rap.

MOBO PAYS TRIBUTE

The MOBO Awards announced Sway's death while remembering the historic significance of his 2005 victory.

The organisation described his achievement as an important moment in UK hip hop and expressed condolences to his family, loved ones and fans.

His death prompted further tributes from artists, friends and listeners who followed his career from Britain's independent hip hop scene into mainstream recognition.

Sway also expanded his work beyond music and appeared in television and film, including the British crime drama Top Boy.

CAUSE OF DEATH NOT ANNOUNCED

Sway had previously spoken publicly about being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and subsequently going into remission.

However, no official cause of his death has been announced.

There is therefore no confirmed basis to attribute his death to that previous illness.

He had celebrated his 44th birthday earlier in September.

Sway leaves behind a musical legacy closely connected to the growth of independent British hip hop and to the relationship between Britain's Ghanaian diaspora and Ghana's music community.

His historic MOBO victory, independent approach and catalogue of storytelling driven music helped establish him as an influential figure in a generation of British rap.