Rest In Peace: Smiley Culture

Words by Eddie STATS Houghton

Throwback Thursdays has come two days early this week, for the worst of reasons. We’ve just received news that Smiley Culture, innovator of the MC style of reggae in the UK,  has passed away in an incident involving the police in East Surrey, where he lived. Ironically, after years of obscurity, Smiley had just received a spot of press attention, having his pivotal role highlighted in the BBC Reggae Britannia documentary (not to mention our own Top 10 UK Dub & Reggae Anthems). There are already conflicting versions of events flying around, so we will leave to our UK correspondent Gabe Heatwave to tell us what it all means. For the moment, let us run tune and raise a pint in memory of a true pioneer.

Recent Posts

  • home-left-features
  • Interview
  • Martei Korley

Tifa on Perseverance, Dancehall, and Why She Can’t Be Cancelled [Interview]

The one-time Ward 21 protégé is back in the dancehall conversation with the uplifting “Can’t…

1 month ago
  • home-left-features

Slick Rick + Idris Elba Share “Badman Generation”

Hip-hop’s master storyteller returns with a reggae/dancehall-flavored collaboration

3 months ago
  • home-right-news
  • Interview
  • Jesse Serwer
  • Music
  • promote

The LargeUp Interview: Stonebwoy On How Dancehall Conquered Ghana 🇬🇭

Africa's dancehall ambassador on the cultural connections between Ghana and Jamaica.

2 years ago
  • home-left-features
  • Martei Korley
  • promote
  • Sports

Going The Distance with Jamaican Track Star Aisha Praught-Leer 🇯🇲

From Illinois to Kingston, Jamaica, comes a story of fierce determination.

2 years ago
  • home-right-news

Jamaican In New York: Rhea Prendergast Brings Yaad Vibes To The Big Apple

Rhea 'Rheezus' Prendergrast is a young woman from Jamaica, living in New York City, working…

2 years ago
  • events
  • News

EVENT: Island Fever with Omari Banks, Screechy Dan + Friends 🇦🇮 🇯🇲 🇬🇾 🇵🇦

LargeUp is bringing Caribbean sounds to Long Island's North Fork Saturday, July 29.

2 years ago

This website uses cookies.