U-Roy’s Partner Thanks Minister Grange, Jamaican Public For Support
Marcia Smikle, U-Roy’s partner of 40-plus years, has thanked Olivia Grange, Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture, the funeral organizers, and well-wishers for their support in making the celebration of the life of dancehall Godfather, Daddy U Roy a “great occasion”.
“The family wants to thank Minister Olivia Grange, Perry’s Funeral home and his assistant who worked tirelessly to make U Roy’s send off so nice. The send off was a great occasion fitting of the man himself, and I want to give a special thanks to artistes like Hugh Brown and Charlie Chaplin who gave tributes at the event. The motorcade, the floral arrangements, the decorations, everything was perfect,” Smikle told DancehallMag.
The late veteran toaster Ewart ‘U-Roy’ Beckford was buried at Dovecot Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOoflJF7qRo
Daddy U-Roy is survived by 16 children.
Smikle, who is in her 60s, had lived with the artiste for 41 years. They didn’t conceive any children together, but he raised Smikle’s child – from a previous relationship – as his own.
U-Roy passed away on February 17. The veteran toaster helped transform Jamaican music through an innovative vocal improvisation process known as ‘toasting’ where he expanded the role of a DJ into someone who didn’t just play and introduce records but added their own verve and vocal ability to the product.
He was 78.
U-Roy had been receiving treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure conditions, and also suffered with kidney problems.
A day after veteran reggae artiste U-Roy was laid to rest, his record label Trojan Jamaica/BMG announced the release of Solid Gold U-Roy , his latest full-length album.
The album was originally set to hit the market in 2020, with plans for a worldwide tour in support, but unfortunately, the pandemic delayed the release. With his death on February 17, the label noted that the album has become a celebration of one of what it calls “the most profoundly influential reggae stars of his generation”.
Solid Gold U-Roy, which hits the streets on July 16, features guest appearances by heavyweights including Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Mick Jones of The Clash, Santigold, Sly & Robbie, David Hinds of Steel Pulse, Big Youth, Tarrus Riley, Rygin King, Jesse Royal, Richie Spice, and Scientist.
The lead single, Man Next Door featuring Santigold, was originally composed by John Holt and released in 1968 by his group, The Paragons. U-Roy sampled the song in 1982 for the track Peace and Love in the Ghetto which appeared on his Original DJ album.
An official music video is also available now for Man Next Door. The clip captures U-Roy in 2018 at the Trojan Jamaica studios in one of his last sessions. Santigold was filmed at Sunset Sound later that year. The video was directed by Nick Franco/1185 Films in collaboration with Trojan Jamaica co-founders Zak Starkey and Sharna “Sshh” Liguz.