Mikey Smith

Michael Smith, widely known as Mikey Smith (1954–1983), was a leading Jamaican dub poet and one of the most powerful poetic voices to emerge from the Caribbean in the late 20th century. Alongside figures such as Linton Kwesi Johnson and Mutabaruka, he helped define dub poetry as a form of political resistance, blending spoken word with reggae rhythm and Rastafarian consciousness. Educated in Kingston and trained at the Jamaican School of Drama, Smith’s work was deeply rooted in social justice, anti-imperialism, and sharp critiques of Jamaican “politricks.” Smith gained international recognition in the late 1970s and early 1980s, representing Jamaica at the 1978 World Festival of Youth and Students in Cuba and performing widely across Europe and the UK. His most famous piece, “Mi Cyaan Believe It,” became iconic for its emotional intensity and raw delivery, later forming the centerpiece of his only album, produced in London by Linton Kwesi Johnson. He appeared on BBC radio and television, recorded a John Peel session, and performed at major cultural and political events, while also working as a social worker advocating for prisoners in Jamaica. On 17 August 1983, Smith was killed following a confrontation linked to a political rally in Stony Hill, Jamaica, after he had heckled a government minister. He died from a blow to the head caused by a stone, in circumstances widely viewed as politically motivated during a tense period of Jamaican politics. His death shocked the cultural world and cemented his legacy as a fearless truth-teller. Smith has since been memorialized in literature, music, and even opera, and remains a symbol of artistic courage and resistance in Caribbean history.