British hip-hop is mourning the loss of one of its influential voices following the death of rapper, producer and creative executive Sway DaSafo.

Sway, whose real name was Derek Andrew Safo, died at the age of 44. The MOBO Awards announced his passing on Thursday, September 17, while a close friend told The Guardian that the rapper died at his home in Ghana. No official cause of death has been announced.

Sway held a special place in MOBO history.

In 2005, the North London rapper became the first unsigned artist to win Best Hip-Hop Act at the MOBO Awards. Even more impressively, the milestone came before the release of his debut album and saw him recognized alongside some of the biggest names in rap at the time.

Following news of his death, MOBO remembered the achievement as an important moment not only for Sway but for British hip-hop as a whole.

The organization said it was proud to have Sway as part of its history and sent its condolences to his family, loved ones and fans.

Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in Hornsey, North London, Sway developed a sound that moved between hip-hop, grime and club-oriented music.

He initially performed with groups including Phynix Crew before establishing himself as a solo artist and building momentum independently.

That independent approach became a major part of his story.

Sway released his debut album, This Is My Demo, in 2006. The critically acclaimed project was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and featured “Little Derek,” which reached the UK Top 40.

His success continued in the following years as he expanded beyond the underground British rap scene.

Sway later released music through his Dcypha Productions label and worked with Akon’s Konvict Music.

His 2011 single “Still Speedin’” became one of the biggest commercial records of his career, reaching the UK Top 20. He followed it with “Level Up,” which climbed even higher, reaching No. 8 on the UK chart.

Throughout his career, Sway collaborated with artists across multiple genres, including Ed Sheeran, Kano, Riz Ahmed, Lupe Fiasco and Akon.

But his influence stretched beyond his own records.

Through Dcypha Productions, Sway also became involved in developing emerging talent.

One of the most recognizable names he helped was KSI, who would eventually grow from a YouTube personality into an internationally known entertainer and recording artist.

Following Sway’s death, KSI was among those paying tribute to the rapper, crediting him as someone who believed in his musical potential early in his career.

Sway also expanded into acting during his career, including an appearance in the British crime drama Top Boy.

Sway was also a father of four — two sons and two daughters. Reports following his death have highlighted how important fatherhood had become in his life alongside his music and creative work.

His death comes more than two decades after his breakthrough helped demonstrate that an independent British rapper could receive major industry recognition without waiting for traditional label backing.

From his historic MOBO win to This Is My Demo, his chart success and his work developing younger artists, Sway leaves behind a career closely connected to the growth of modern British hip-hop.

He was 44.