Library Rock's Backpages

Mark Paytress Meets Smiley Culture On The Cusp Of Fame, 1984

Mark Paytress, Rock's Backpages, March 2011

AS BRITAIN'S first successful MC, whose fast, fluid style had more in common with rap than reggae, Smiley Culture's place in history is assured. He is a founding father of British urban music. Or, rather, he was. His recent death, on 15 March 2011 in disturbingly bizarre circumstances, is currently under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Total word count of piece: 2540

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