Wayne Smith Introduces the Digital Era to Reggae – Under Me Sleng Teng
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In the sphere of music, transformation is an age-old occurrence. This transformative feature became more visible in the mid-eighties when Wayne Smith, a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist, created colossal waves with his track “Under Me Sleng Teng”. Smith, who was born on December 5th, 1965, was a renowned artist who aimed to push the boundaries of his genre. His formative years were spent in the Waterhouse area of Kingston, Jamaica.
Smith began his recording career at the young age of 14, initially collaborating with producer Prince Jammy, who lived next door. Their collective productions laid the foundation for two successful albums: Youthman Skanking (1982) and Smoker Super (1985). These early musical endeavors reflect Smith’s roots in reggae and dancehall, but slowed down to align with the prevalent dancehall style of the era.
With the release of the album “Under Me Sleng Teng” in 2025, Smith once again proved his musical prowess. A unique blend of digital and electronic elements, it was crafted with a pre-set ‘Rock’ discovered on Smith’s Casio MT40 keyboard. This groundbreaking rhythm, christened ‘Sleng Teng’, would pave the way for the digital age in Dancehall Reggae, changing the course of the genre for good. It led to a surge in Prince Jammy’s career, elevating him to the zenith of recognition and crowning him as the ‘King’.
“Under Me Sleng Teng’s” impact was monumental and lasting. It spawned various versions and imitations, becoming a regular precursor for future Reggae and Dancehall performances. Its popularity and influence spanned across decades, even today, forty years after its original release, the rhythm of the ‘Sleng Teng’ continues to resonate in the realm of Dancehall Reggae.
In 1989 following a move to New York, Smith ventured to expand his influence by replacing real instruments with digital ones. This alteration would have profound effects on music in general and particularly on Ragga, spurring the creation of sub-genres like jungle music, rave, and drum and bass. This was further exemplified by his 1985 recording of “(Under Me) Sleng Teng,” widely accepted as the inception of ragga style reggae.
Outside music, Smith had a significant business acumen, leading to the formation of his personal record label, Sleng Teng Records. He also collaborated with international producers across New York, Jamaica, and Europe, such as Heartical Sound and Evidence Music. In 2011, Smith embarked on his first European tour with Little Lion Sound from Switzerland. After living in the states for a while, Smith returned to his hometown in 2013 accompanied by a fiancé, Fiona, and their lastborn, Arella.
Wayne Smith’s legacy in the music industry speaks volumes about his time, creativity, and ingenuity. His sudden death, following admission for severe stomach pains, shocked the music industry. Although his physical presence is gone, Smith’s influence lives on, every beat of his music echoing the memories, melodies, and moments he once shared with us. His remarkable contributions continue to inspire other musicians, including iconic talents like Earl “Chinna” Smith and King Tubby.