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Originator Live
Released Jan 15, 2025
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Quick Facts
Born
1942
1942
From
Jamaica
Jamaica
Journey
Ewart Beckford, professionally known as U-Roy, was born in September 1942 in Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica. Raised in one of Kingston’s most active musical communities, he grew up surrounded by sound-system culture, street performances, and popular Jamaican music.
U-Roy began performing in the early 1960s with local sound systems before joining Sir George the Atomic and later King Tubby’s influential sound system. Working over instrumental versions of existing recordings, he developed a rhythmic speaking-and-chanting technique known as toasting. His breakthrough arrived in 1970 with the Jamaican number-one hits “Wake the Town,” “Rule the Nation,” and “Wear You to the Ball,” recordings that established him as the island’s leading Dj.
Throughout the 1970s and beyond, U-Roy released influential albums including “Version Galore,” “Dread in a Babylon,” “Natty Rebel,” “Rasta Ambassador,” “Talking Roots,” and later “Pray Fi Di People.” His recordings often addressed social conditions, spirituality, Rastafarian identity, and everyday Jamaican life.
U-Roy worked with many major figures in Jamaican music, including King Tubby, Duke Reid, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Prince Tony Robinson, The Wailers, and numerous reggae vocalists and producers. He also founded the Stur-Gav sound system, which became an important platform for younger reggae and dancehall artists.
His achievements extended beyond chart success. Jamaica awarded U-Roy its Order of Distinction to recognize his contributions to music and culture, and he is widely acknowledged as the father of Jamaican toasting.
U-Roy remained active through recordings, performances, and sound-system activities until he died in Kingston on 17 February 2021 at the age of 78. His legacy endures through a body of work that helped define reggae culture and influenced generations of artists across reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop.