Legendary Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall toaster U-Roy has died at the age of 78.
U-Roy, who had been ailing for some time, passed away on Wednesday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Jamaica following a surgery.
His death was confirmed by British label Trojan Records in a statement posted to Instagram today, which noted that U-Roy was a “pioneering DJ who revolutionised the sound of Jamaican music in the early Seventies”.
The singer and vocalist was hailed by Trojan and several others as “the originator” of toasting on Reggae records which helped to change sound system culture in Jamaica – and influence Dancehall and early Hip-Hop. “We have so much to thank U Roy for. His musical style will live on forever,” they added.
Tributes flowed freely on social media last night as artists, musicians, and fans expressed sorrow at the death of a pioneering godfather of Jamaican music.
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