Wayne Smith (born Ian Flemmings Smith on December 5, 1965, in Kingston, Jamaica) was a pioneering reggae and dancehall musician best known for his groundbreaking 1985 hit “Under Mi Sleng Teng.” This track is widely credited with ushering in the digital era of reggae, fundamentally transforming the genre and influencing the development of dancehall, ragga, and later electronic music styles like jungle and drum and bass. Red Bull Music Academy Daily +16 Wikipedia +16 Kiddle +16

Early Life and Career

Smith grew up in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, a neighborhood known for its vibrant sound system culture. He began performing with local sound systems as a teenager and started recording music at the age of 14.   Smith's debut album, Youthman Skanking , was released in 1982, followed by Smoker Super in 1985. Spotify +10 Kiddle +10 Wikipedia +10 Wikipedia +1 Kiddle +1

The “Sleng Teng” Revolution

In 1985, Smith and musician Noel Davey discovered a preset rhythm on a Casio MT-40 keyboard, which they adapted into the instrumental for “Under Mi Sleng Teng.” The song's digital rhythm marked a departure from traditional reggae's reliance on live instrumentation. . The success of “Under Mi Sleng Teng” led to the creation of numerous versions by other artists and signaled a shift toward digital production in reggae music. LargeUp +6 The Independent +6 Wikipedia +6 LargeUp

Later Years and Legacy

After moving to New York in 1989, Smith established his own label, Sleng Teng Records, and continued to produce music, collaborating with various international producers. In 2011, he toured Europe with Switzerland's Little Lion Sound. He returned to Jamaica in 2013, settling in Mandeville with his youngest daughter and fiancée. Jamaicans Music +13 Wikipedia +13 Kiddle +13 Wikipedia +3 Wikipedia +3 Kiddle +3 Wikipedia +2 Wikipedia +2 Kiddle +2

Smith passed away on February 17, 2014, at the age of 48, after being hospitalized with severe stomach pains. He left behind a legacy as a trailblazer who revolutionized reggae music through digital innovation.