Daddy U Roy, the inspirational toaster and sound system giant who inspired generations of dancehall artists, died in Kingston, Jamaica on February 17 at age 79. 

The veteran artist, born Ewart Beckford, suffered from diabetes and hypertension. He died shortly after undergoing kidney surgery. 

Among those saluting U Roy was British broadcaster and sound system great David Rodigan. 

"RIP Daddy U Roy the iconic toaster who changed the paradigm of Jamaican music when he voiced the ‘Version Galore’ album ...I was always in awe of him; the tone of voice, the cadence, the lyrical shimmering and riddim riding made him ‘the soul adventurer’ par excellence," Rodigan posted on twitter. 

Rodigan first interviewed U Roy in the 1980s for his show on Capital Radio. They kept in touch over the years, and Rodigan was at Club Amazura in Queens, New York in November, 2019 for U Roy's crowning by REEWIND, an event organized by promoters Irish and Chin. 

It was also attended by Shabba Ranks who not only crowned U Roy but called him the Picasso of Jamaican music. 

U Roy was the first deejay to achieve mainstream success which came in the early 1970s with his toasts to hit songs like Wear You to The Ball by The Paragons and Girl I've Got A Date by Alton Ellis. 

He inspired many dancehall stars including Dennis Alcapone, Big Youth, Hugh Brown, I Roy, Charlie Chaplin and Shabba Ranks. 

In the last 15 years, U Roy continued to record with artists in Europe and North America. He also toured both continents, performing at major events like Rototom Sunsplash and SummerJam.

Written By Howard Campbell