‘The originator’ of toasting on record helped revolutionise soundsystem culture in Jamaica – and inspire the birth of hip-hop
The legendary toaster U-Roy has died aged 78, a representative for Trojan Records has confirmed. No cause of death has been made public.
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British reggae DJ David Rodigan was among those to pay tribute, describing U-Roy as “the paradigm of Jamaican
music … I was always in awe of him; the tone of voice, the cadence, the lyrical shimmering and riddim riding made him the ‘soul adventurer’.” Ali Campbell of UB40 hailed him as “a true inspiration, [paving] the way for many generations and creating a sound that will live for ever!” Shaggy said: “Today we lost one of our heroes!!”