British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44. The award-winning artist died at his home in Ghana, according to his friend Kash Ahmad, who confirmed the news.

The cause of death has not been announced.

Born Derek Andrew Safo in London, Sway spent part of his childhood in Ghana before being raised in north London. He developed his musical style through pirate radio and became part of the UK’s emerging grime scene alongside artists including Dizzee Rascal and Lethal Bizzle.

Sway made history in 2006 when he became the first unsigned rapper to win a Mobo Award. He had beaten major American artists including 50 Cent and The Game to take the hip-hop award.

He later reached the UK top 10 in 2012 with his single Level Up.

Throughout his career, Sway maintained an independent approach, releasing music through his own label and selling mixtapes through markets and independent record stores.

The rapper was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and later went into remission.

Sway was known for his witty and thoughtful approach to rap, with positivity remaining a recurring theme in his music.