U-Roy

Bio

U-Roy (born Ewart Beckford, 21 September 1942 – 17 February 2021) was a Jamaican vocalist and pioneer of toasting, the rhythmic spoken-word style that laid the foundation for reggae deejaying and later hip-hop rap. Emerging from Kingston’s sound-system scene in the late 1960s, he gained fame with hits such as “Wear You to the Ball,” “Wake the Town,” and “Rule the Nation,” recorded over classic riddims from producers like Duke Reid and Bunny Lee. His relaxed, conversational delivery and ability to ride instrumental tracks without overpowering them influenced generations of reggae artists and helped shift Jamaican music from vocal harmony groups toward the deejay-dominated sound of the 1970s. U-Roy continued to record and perform into the 21st century, releasing albums such as “Babylon Kingdom Must Fall” (1999) and “Pray Fi Di People” (2018), and remains widely regarded as one of reggae’s most important vocal innovators.