U-Roy at Open East Festival in 2013 (Photo by Véronique Skelsey)
There has been an outpouring of tributes from the Jamaican music fraternity on social media, following the passing of U-Roy, the man responsible for birthing the Dancehall genre.
The Dancehall pioneer, born Ewart Beckford in Kingston, and popularly known as Daddy U Roy died Wednesday night in Kingston at age 78, after ailing for some time.
U-Roy who is an awardee of the Jamaican Order of Distinction for his pioneering musical exploits, is renowned for coining the iconic phrase “Wake The Town and tell The People.”
Shaggy and Sean Paul were among the first Dancehall artists to pay tribute on their Instagram pages, following the announcement of U-Roy’s passing.