Jamaican reggae legend, Ewart Beckford, popularly known as U-Roy is dead.
U-Roy’s demise was confirmed to Jamaican news website, The Gleaner by his partner, Marcia Smikle, his partner, confirmed.
“He died at 11:10 pm last night at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) after undergoing kidney surgery.”
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According to Smikle, the deceased had been receiving treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and also suffered from kidney problems.
“He had diabetes and hypertension, but those were under control because we made sure he took his medication. But he also had a kidney problem and was being treated at Andrews [Hospital], and then they told us to take him to UWI for surgery because the kidney had messed up the bladder, and he was bleeding.”
She further disclosed that dialysis for the kidney was recommended by doctors but the Reggae legend objected to it before he died.
In his reaction to the news of U-Roy’s death, Dancehall star, Shaggy described the deceased as a true legend.
On his Instagram page, he wrote, “Today we lost one of our heroes! A true legend in this game of dancehall/ Reggae.
“With such greats as Colonel Josey Wales and Charlie Chaplin, pioneers in this game with a catalogue of amazing recordings U Roy was a master at his craft. Rest Well daddy Roy!”.
U-Roy was among artists to feature on Toots and the Maytals’ Grammy-winning all-star album True Love in 2004.
He was also awarded the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government for his contribution to music in 2007.
