I found a newspaper memorial article (published shortly after he was killed) in a record sleeve a few years ago. Written by Linton Kwesi Johnson. Contains some very detailed information about what happened that day, even names of suspects.
I saw Michael perform in Birmingham, UK, he was so entertaining, professional and sweet. One female audience member had the hots for him and was doing her very special flirty dance in his honour. It was a dangerous time for successful Jamaicans to live in their home country. Have things changed?
actually they didn't kill him for money. it was a political execution. Michael's ideas were not "suitable" for so called "democratic regimes". in UK or Jamaica it makes no real difference. listen carefully to the lyrics...
Hi gianniwalker...thanks for the input. Yes I am glad you pointed it was political. I am aware of that too. That's the time most of my family left because of the factions and horrific gunmen.I guess by successful I meant talented, skilled, intellectual people, there tends to be a lot of jealousy and envy there too. The political rivalry makes it doubly dangerous.
yes, I think that he started to write when he was a kid. I discovered Michael poems when I was ten. my elder friends used to lend me any kind of vinyls, mostly reggae stuff. I didn't understand 100% of lyrics (I am italian) but I felt that he was such a smart kid, so straight to the point. words are a weapon. Michael and LKJ are some of the most stinging intellectuals I have ever listened to. Everybody should listen and learn.
Thanks for posting this. There is a video of Michael reciting Mi Cyaan believe It. It was on the telly box in the 80s. My English teacher brought it in to watch. Hopefully someone will have it...perhaps my old English teacher.
@elvispreseli Shortly after hs death, we did a tribute to him in Jamaica, was put together by the BBC would be good to see that on utube now. Think it was at Zince Fence...Tomlin
This video has made my night possible my year. Long time I don't see the movements of the man nor hear his voice. The video kind of jerk me up a bit emotionally and otherwise.(Wow( Dub Poetry is alive: So let's "write and chant the poetry with the jacan descant like bredda claude mckay well hard living aboard." (Oliver Smith, Poets in Unity)
Oh my days....I have been searching for anything by this proper wicked geeza of my childhood for years. THANK YOU matey for putting in on..I'm now looking for my favourite tune- Trainer..if anyone has it or knows where I can get it...PLEASE TELL ME. Sweet. A voice of a generation.
It was alleged that Smith had attacked them, but given the nation's volatile political history, no one was buying that explanation, and the politically motivated murder of Michael Smith robbed reggae of one of its most eloquent voices of protest.
Produced by Bovell and LKJ, Smith's debut, Mi Cyaan Believe It, was a scintillating piece of work, a signal that along with Johnson and Mutabaruka, dub poetry was entering an incredibly fertile period. Smith returned to Jamaica in 1982 only to be gunned down under mysterious circumstances by members of the Jamaican Labour Party.
Just to say he wasn't gunned down. He was stoned to death at a place called Stony Hill. Those of us here in Jamaica who worked with Micky still feel the pain, it hit us hard like rock stone. The man was mi brethren. Is there anymore video out there?
from patrick belgium damned i was 20 in 82!and suddenly he was there,mi can believe it!!!! bought the lp ,still got m,but it was WAAAW, just doing his thing,when black&white are black&white i put it on my turntable,and it,s in 2008 till WAAAW!!!!
Although Linton Kwesi Johnson invented dub poetry and remains the most influential of its practitioners, Michael Smith was another incredibly talented, politically ferocious dub poet who, tragically, lived long enough to release only one record. Born in a rough section of Kingston, Smith grew up in a reggae culture immersed in the toasting riddims of I-Roy and U-Roy, the heavy dub that Lee Perry and King Tubby were churning out, and the political stance of Bob Marley.
Thank you!
drblackistheuniverse 3 weeks ago
OFTEN OVERLOOKED ARTIST GREATLY MISSED AND THAT TROMBONE AAAEEEEEE PURE HEAVEN
mickydub3 1 month ago
made me shiver. such a true, truly extraordinary poet
gianniwalker 4 months ago
magic
jonescrasher 11 months ago
A big inspiration this...!!
His poetry gave me goosebumps 25 ys ago and it still does...
Nuff awe
@skylarker
that would be of interest, i'll look for it on the net
@ flamencoexpress
the lyrics are on the backside of the LP cover, album named "Mi Cyaan Believe it"
ajamanaid 1 year ago
They killed this amazing poet ffs.
You are not forgotten Mike.
Jah Bless
ProbTron 1 year ago
@ProbTron
I found a newspaper memorial article (published shortly after he was killed) in a record sleeve a few years ago. Written by Linton Kwesi Johnson. Contains some very detailed information about what happened that day, even names of suspects.
skylarker7041 1 year ago
i and favourite dub poet , pure legand
cookahbetsy 1 year ago
bastards killed him like they always do to the good ones
very political man
listen to his other songs
violetwrites 1 year ago
Can anyone find a link to a comprehensive set of lyrics?
And Dandy Livingstone and Prince Buster, while we're at it.
flamencoexpress 2 years ago
So Heavy. Right in the pocket.
groovemonzter 2 years ago
I saw Michael perform in Birmingham, UK, he was so entertaining, professional and sweet. One female audience member had the hots for him and was doing her very special flirty dance in his honour. It was a dangerous time for successful Jamaicans to live in their home country. Have things changed?
blingblingringring 3 years ago
actually they didn't kill him for money. it was a political execution. Michael's ideas were not "suitable" for so called "democratic regimes". in UK or Jamaica it makes no real difference. listen carefully to the lyrics...
gianniwalker 3 years ago
Hi gianniwalker...thanks for the input. Yes I am glad you pointed it was political. I am aware of that too. That's the time most of my family left because of the factions and horrific gunmen.I guess by successful I meant talented, skilled, intellectual people, there tends to be a lot of jealousy and envy there too. The political rivalry makes it doubly dangerous.
blingblingringring 3 years ago
yes, I think that he started to write when he was a kid. I discovered Michael poems when I was ten. my elder friends used to lend me any kind of vinyls, mostly reggae stuff. I didn't understand 100% of lyrics (I am italian) but I felt that he was such a smart kid, so straight to the point. words are a weapon. Michael and LKJ are some of the most stinging intellectuals I have ever listened to. Everybody should listen and learn.
gianniwalker 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this. There is a video of Michael reciting Mi Cyaan believe It. It was on the telly box in the 80s. My English teacher brought it in to watch. Hopefully someone will have it...perhaps my old English teacher.
DylanBuckle 3 years ago
@DylanBuckle it was on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Someone, somewhere (BBC??) must have a copy.
elvispreseli 1 year ago
@elvispreseli Shortly after hs death, we did a tribute to him in Jamaica, was put together by the BBC would be good to see that on utube now. Think it was at Zince Fence...Tomlin
Tomlininja 1 year ago
Brilliant poet,however i always thought his work was better without the musical backing!
philipsmovies 3 years ago
anybody know the name of this killer Riddim ?
Makbelly 3 years ago
"Give me a little Dub Music"
BadPsyTron 3 years ago
thanks, but i'm looking for the name of the riddim not the song.
Makbelly 3 years ago
This video has made my night possible my year. Long time I don't see the movements of the man nor hear his voice. The video kind of jerk me up a bit emotionally and otherwise.(Wow( Dub Poetry is alive: So let's "write and chant the poetry with the jacan descant like bredda claude mckay well hard living aboard." (Oliver Smith, Poets in Unity)
Tomlininja 3 years ago 2
yes i! mikey smith lives! yo... bigups for posting this... thank you infinite.
jahalafia 3 years ago
So rare but so good thx for this gem love ;)
smokingdub 4 years ago
Michael's music is a weapon of mass disruption. max respect to a real revolutionary
gianniwalker 4 years ago
YEA MON.DUBMUSIC JAHMUSIC.SELAH!
jahmaoli808 4 years ago
anyone got the album on mp3?
perrin124 4 years ago
Oh my days....I have been searching for anything by this proper wicked geeza of my childhood for years. THANK YOU matey for putting in on..I'm now looking for my favourite tune- Trainer..if anyone has it or knows where I can get it...PLEASE TELL ME. Sweet. A voice of a generation.
jessiefuckinfenn 5 years ago
Great stuff. One of the original Dub Poets
larcssab 5 years ago
It was alleged that Smith had attacked them, but given the nation's volatile political history, no one was buying that explanation, and the politically motivated murder of Michael Smith robbed reggae of one of its most eloquent voices of protest.
Rocktron3 5 years ago
Produced by Bovell and LKJ, Smith's debut, Mi Cyaan Believe It, was a scintillating piece of work, a signal that along with Johnson and Mutabaruka, dub poetry was entering an incredibly fertile period. Smith returned to Jamaica in 1982 only to be gunned down under mysterious circumstances by members of the Jamaican Labour Party.
Rocktron3 5 years ago
Just to say he wasn't gunned down. He was stoned to death at a place called Stony Hill. Those of us here in Jamaica who worked with Micky still feel the pain, it hit us hard like rock stone. The man was mi brethren. Is there anymore video out there?
Tomlin
Tomlininja 3 years ago
from patrick belgium damned i was 20 in 82!and suddenly he was there,mi can believe it!!!! bought the lp ,still got m,but it was WAAAW, just doing his thing,when black&white are black&white i put it on my turntable,and it,s in 2008 till WAAAW!!!!
patjedub 3 years ago
Although Linton Kwesi Johnson invented dub poetry and remains the most influential of its practitioners, Michael Smith was another incredibly talented, politically ferocious dub poet who, tragically, lived long enough to release only one record. Born in a rough section of Kingston, Smith grew up in a reggae culture immersed in the toasting riddims of I-Roy and U-Roy, the heavy dub that Lee Perry and King Tubby were churning out, and the political stance of Bob Marley.
Rocktron3 5 years ago
OMG!!!! I can't believe you have this!!!
Thank you! :)
Rocktron3 5 years ago 2