U-Roy

Country: Jamaica

Ewart Beckford OD, better known as U-Roy (21 September 1942 – 17 February 2021), was a pioneering Jamaican vocalist and one of the originators of the toasting style in reggae music. Born in Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica, into a musical family, he was influenced by early American rhythm and blues artists such as Louis Prima and Louis Jordan. Beckford began his career in the early 1960s, performing on local sound systems and later recording for prominent producers including Duke Reid, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Bunny Lee, and Phil Pratt. His early hits, such as "Wake the Town" and "Wear You to the Ball," established him as a leading figure in Jamaican music, and his 1975 album Dread in a Babylon helped solidify his international reputation. U-Roy was instrumental in popularizing toasting, a melodic form of vocal delivery over instrumental tracks that influenced later genres such as hip-hop. He started his own sound system, Stur Gav, in 1978, which became a launching pad for many emerging artists, including Ranking Joe, Jah Screw, and Josey Wales. Throughout his career, U-Roy collaborated with numerous musicians, including Toots and the Maytals on the Grammy-winning album True Love (2004), and continued producing and performing music well into the 2010s, releasing albums such as Pray Fi Di People in 2012. His work consistently incorporated Rastafarian themes, exemplified in tracks like "Rightful Ruler" and "Joyful Locks," which encouraged spiritual devotion and the keeping of dreadlocks in accordance with biblical teachings. U-Roy passed away on 17 February 2021 after suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and kidney issues. His legacy as a pioneer of toasting and as a foundational figure in reggae is widely recognized, and his influence extends to contemporary dancehall and hip-hop artists, including Sean Paul and Shabba Ranks. By transforming sound system culture into a mainstream art form…

U-Roy was instrumental in popularizing toasting, a melodic form of vocal delivery over instrumental tracks that influenced later genres such as hip-hop. He started his own sound system, Stur Gav, in 1978, which became a launching pad for many emerging artists, including Ranking Joe, Jah Screw, and Josey Wales. Throughout his career, U-Roy collaborated with numerous musicians, including Toots and the Maytals on the Grammy-winning album True Love (2004), and continued producing and performing music well into the 2010s, releasing albums such as Pray Fi Di People in 2012. His work consistently incorporated Rastafarian themes, exemplified in tracks like "Rightful Ruler" and "Joyful Locks," which encouraged spiritual devotion and the keeping of dreadlocks in accordance with biblical teachings.

U-Roy passed away on 17 February 2021 after suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and kidney issues. His legacy as a pioneer of toasting and as a foundational figure in reggae is widely recognized, and his influence extends to contemporary dancehall and hip-hop artists, including Sean Paul and Shabba Ranks. By transforming sound system culture into a mainstream art form and popularizing the DJ vocal style, U-Roy left an indelible mark on both Jamaican music and global popular music. His innovative approach to rhythm, remixing, and performance continues to inspire musicians across genres.