New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44, marking the loss of an artist who played an important role in the rise of independent British hip-hop.

The news was first announced by the MOBO organisation and was later confirmed to the BBC by Sway's friend Kash Ahmad. According to Ahmad, the rapper died at his home in Ghana. No cause of death has been announced.

Born Derek Andrew Safo, Sway built his reputation in the UK music scene at a time when British hip-hop was still working to establish itself alongside the dominance of American rap. His career was notable not only for his music but also for the way he built an audience independently.

Sway was a British-Ghanaian rapper, songwriter and actor ...