U-Roy

Biography

Ewart Beckford, known as U-Roy or the Originator, was born on September 21, 1942, in Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica. Drawn to music from an early age, he began his career as a deejay at 19 in 1961 on Dickie Wong's Doctor Dickies sound system, later moving to Atomic Sound (Sir George), Coxsone Dodd's system, and Sir Percy before settling at King Tubby's Hometown Hi-Fi. Influenced by pioneers like Count Matchuki and King Stitt, U-Roy developed a melodic toasting style—rhyming and chanting over instrumental B-sides—that popularized the art form, laying groundwork for dub, hip-hop, and rap.[1][2][3]

In 1970, after John Holt recommended him to Duke Reid, U-Roy's singles 'Wake the Town' and 'Wear You to the Ball' on Treasure Isle became massive hits, collected on Version Galore. He collaborated with producers like King Tubby, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Bunny Lee, and Prince Tony Robinson, releasing the international breakthrough Dread in a Babylon in 1975. Launching his Stur Gav sound system in 1978, he adapted to dancehall while experimenting across genres, including 2006's Love Trio in Dub and 2012's Pray Fi Di People, earning the Order of Distinction in 2007. U-Roy passed away on February 17, 2021.[1][2][3]

U-Roy's legacy as the Father of Deejaying stems from his rhythmic, singer-like toasting that revolutionized reggae, influencing global music from roots reggae to hip-hop with heavy bass and break extensions.[1][3]

Fun Facts

• U-Roy named his 1978 Stur Gav sound system after his sons, using it to launch dancehall stars like Charlie Chaplin and Super Cat.
• His 1971 deejay version of The Paragons' 'The Tide Is High' was re-released in 1980 after Blondie's global cover hit, boosting his profile.
• U-Roy is credited with pioneering toasting techniques like extending record breaks and emphasizing drum-and-bass 'yoke' that influenced hip-hop's origins.
• His final recording, 'The Coming of Jah Jah,' appeared posthumously in 2023 on The Deejay Battle: Sly & Robbie vs Roots Radics.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Count Matchuki - stylistic inspiration for toasting (early sound system performances) [1960s]
• King Stitt - influence on deejaying style (sound system sets with Coxsone Dodd) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

• King Tubby - sound system DJ and dubplate work (Hometown Hi-Fi sessions) [late 1960s-1970s]
• Duke Reid - recording producer for breakthrough hits ('Wake the Town,' 'Wear You to the Ball,' Version Galore) [1970]
• Prince Tony Robinson - album producer (Dread in a Babylon) [1975]
• John Holt - recommended him to Duke Reid (deejay version of 'The Tide Is High') [1970-1971]

Artists Influenced

• Ranking Joe - mentored via Stur Gav sound system (dancehall emergence) [1978 onward]
• Josey Wales - mentored via Stur Gav sound system (dancehall careers) [1978 onward]
• Yellowman - acknowledged as stylistic influence (dancehall style) [1980s]
• Sean Paul - acknowledged influence on dancehall deejaying (international career) [1990s-2000s]
• Shabba Ranks - acknowledged influence on dancehall deejaying (international career) [1990s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia