WAYNE ‘SLENG TENG’ SMITH LAID TO REST

HE has been credited with revolutionising the music industry with a rhythm that has added extra vibes to songs.

But for all that, his sister never even knew the power that her brother had in the studio. It took his death for her to really sit down and listen to some of his works that he gave to the world. Pastor Wendy Stephenson only knew Wayne ‘Sleng Teng’ Smith as her

loving brother.

“I didn’t see him as a singer, I never realised he was so talented,” she told the packed house that turned out at his service of thanksgiving held yesterday at the Faith United Brethren in Church of Christ, Washington Gardens, St Andrew.

“He was very funny and loved to play around,” she said.

The underlying theme that flowed throughout most of the tributes in his memory was of his meekness, humility and the passion that he had for music.

According to his son Tibel, who was too emotional to even read what he wrote in tribute to his father, and could only stand beside his girlfriend Camillia Myrie as she read his words, apart from the excitement and love that his family generated in him the only other thing that could get his father fired up would be his music or any new musical equipment.

“He made it a point of duty to spend quality time with me. Because I loved the streets, he would chide me on that and tell me it was better to be surrounded by music – and that’s why he always took me to the studio,” she read.

His brother Danny Smith was just as emotional, as he spoke of the man who was more than a sibling to him but a ‘hero’, as he related an incident in which he was being attacked by older boys in the community of Seaview Gardens and Wayne came to his rescue, chasing them away without fear.

“He was more than a brother, more than a friend … death is a robbery to me, but I take comfort in the life my brother lived. We had fun,” he said.

Danny Smith stated that he and Wayne shared a love for technology and they would inform each other on the latest gadget that was in.

Wayne Smith died at the Kingston Public Hospital on Monday, February 17 after complaining of stomach pains.

The cause of his death is still not known as in an earlier interview, his son Tibel said that the autopsy came back inconclusive and the family was awaiting the result of a blood test.

The singer, who recorded songs such as his trademark ‘Under Mi Sleng Teng’, ‘Time Is a Moment In Space’, and ‘Ain’t No Meaning’ died leaving six children, seven brothers and five sisters.

His body was interred at the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens, St Catherine.