Blue plaque for Smiley Culture 

singer with mic
Photograph: David Corio/Redferns

Stockwell-born pioneering reggae star Smiley Culture will be honoured with a blue plaque to be unveiled on the Lansdowne Green estate on Wandsworth Road on Monday 10 February.

Organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust in collaboration with Sony Music UK and the Emmanuel family, the plaque will be dedicated to David Victor Emmanuel – his name of birth.

“This significant event pays tribute to his ground-breaking contributions to music, television, and British pop culture,” said the trust.

The unveiling on what would have been his 62nd birthday, takes place at 1pm at his former residence, Temple Court, Lansdowne Green Estate, SW8 2BD.

“It’s I, Smiley Culture, with the mic inna mi hand. Mi come to teach you right an’ a, not di wrong,” David Emmanuel sang in his in his iconic track Cockney Translation.

Released by Fashion Records in 1984, it was the first “fast chat” reggae single to be played on national radio.

Its chart success was quickly followed by the even more popular Police Officer.

The iconic songs brought sharp wit and urban commentary into mainstream consciousness, bridging cultural divides.

David Emmanuel was born on 10 February 1963 in Stockwell and later attended Tulse Hill School. He earned the nickname “Smiley” as a young teenager because of his charming approach to chatting with girls.

From 1976 to 1980, he lived with his mother at Lansdowne Green Estate, Wandsworth Road, where he met Asher Senator, his future collaborator and fellow member of the ground-breaking Saxon International Sound System.

“Fast chat” was a modern evolution of 1970s toasting, which had been pioneered by legends like Big Youth and U-Roy. The new “fast chat” style revolutionised the reggae scene, and was championed by the Saxon International Sound System, the most innovative British sound system of its time.

Under the mentorship of MC Peter King, Saxon nurtured future legends like Tippa Irie, Philip Levi, Asher Senator, and Maxi Priest, who went on to achieve international acclaim.

As well as celebrating his contributions to music and television, the blue plaque honours Smiley’s role as a cultural pioneer.

 “This commemoration will be our 112th plaque and represents a pivotal moment in recognising Smiley Culture’s influence on music, culture, and society, and as a true Black British icon,” said The Nubian Jak Community Trust.

“The unveiling also serves as a poignant reflection on his life, which ended tragically on 15 March 2011 in disputed circumstances during a police search at his home in South Croydon.

“Despite this, Smiley’s influence transcends boundaries and continues to inspire new generations. The installation of this historic plaque will be a permanent tribute to his legacy.”

 “The blue plaque stands not only as a tribute to my father’s contributions to music and culture. It speaks to the impact he had in uniting communities and the lasting legacy he created,” said his daughter Natara Emmanuel.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Nubian Jak Trust and Sony Music UK for their collaboration making this moment possible”

Sony Music UK is delighted to be supporting the plaque, said Charlotte Edgeworth, director of diversity, inclusion and social impact at Sony Music UK.

“Smiley was an icon of British reggae rap and we are pleased to be able to honour his extraordinary contribution to Black British music and culture.”

Dr Jak Beula, CEO of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to acknowledge the driving force that Smiley Culture was. It has resulted in him not having to produce documents for driving while Black, but, instead, receive a blue heritage plaque that will remain proudly installed in the capital to be celebrated for generations.”

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