Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Sleng Teng

Sleng Teng is a groundbreaking riddim in Jamaican dancehall and reggae music, recognized as the first fully digital and computerized instrumental backing track in the genre, which debuted in 1985 on Wayne Smith's hit song "Under Mi Sleng Teng."^[1]^[2]^[3] Created using a preset rhythm from the Casio MT-40 keyboard, it marked a pivotal shift from live band recordings to electronic production, revolutionizing the sound of reggae and spawning over 450 versions by various artists.^[1]^[2]^[3] The riddim's origins trace back to 1984–1985 in Kingston, Jamaica, where producer King Jammy (Lloyd James) collaborated with musician Noel Davey and singer Wayne Smith to craft the track.^[2]^[3] Davey drew inspiration from the Casio MT-40's "Rock 2" preset, a simple, repetitive pattern featuring a deep digital bassline and minimalistic drum beats, which was unexpectedly adapted for reggae despite being designed for rock music.^[1]^[2] This preset had been programmed in 1980 by Hiroko Okuda, a young Japanese Casio employee and avid reggae enthusiast who infused her love for the genre into the rhythm while working fresh out of music college.^[1] The song "Under Mi Sleng Teng," with lyrics celebrating marijuana culture, was recorded in the Waterhouse community and quickly topped Jamaican charts, propelling the riddim to international fame.^[3]^[2] Sleng Teng's impact extended far beyond its initial release, igniting the "digital revolution" in dancehall and effectively ending the dominance of live session musicians in reggae production.^[1]^[3] Its hypnotic, loop-based structure—characterized by a rumbling bass, sharp hi-hats, and echoing snares—provided a versatile foundation for deejay toasting and singjay styles, leading to iconic covers like Tenor Saw's "Pumpkin Belly" and Johnny Osbourne's "Buddy Bye."^[2]^[3] As Osbourne later reflected, "I never heard anything like the ‘Sleng Teng’ before—it wasn’t played by a band, it was just a continuous repetition of a keyboard."^[3] The riddim's influence permeated global music, shaping genres such as hip-hop, reggaeton, and modern electronic dance music, while its preset remains freely available for use with attribution.^[1]^[2] By 2025, reissues and anniversary editions, such as those from VP Records and Greensleeves, continue to highlight its enduring legacy as a "monster riddim."^[3]

Background

Analog to Digital Transition in Reggae

In the 1970s, reggae production in Jamaica was predominantly analog, characterized by live band recordings featuring bass, drums, guitars, and horns, captured on multitrack tape machines such as the Ampex 351 and later the Teac 4-track.^[4] Producers like Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby revolutionized this era through dub techniques, which involved manipulating recorded tracks in the studio using echo chambers, spring reverbs, and tape delays to create immersive, spatial soundscapes—exemplified by Perry's Blackboard Jungle Dub (1973) and Tubby's foundational work starting in 1968 at his Waterhouse studio.^[5]^[4] These methods relied on physical hardware like modified mixing consoles (e.g., Tubby's MCI board) and live session costs, emphasizing organic, improvisational elements over programmed sounds.^[5] The shift toward digital experimentation began in the early 1980s, with producers incorporating electronic instruments to augment or replace traditional setups. In the early 1980s, drum machines like the Roland TR-808 appeared in Jamaican tracks, providing synthetic percussion patterns that contrasted the warmth of live drums; engineers such as Scientist integrated these into dub mixes for a more precise, mechanical edge, while Prince Jammy explored minimalist digital riddims using 12- and 16-track boards at studios like Channel One, which upgraded to the Ampex MM1200 tape machine around this period.^[4] Early examples included embryonic digital elements in Jimmy Riley's "Love And Devotion" (1981), signaling a move from tape-based overdubs to sequencer-driven rhythms.^[4] Economic pressures in Jamaica, including high costs for hiring live musicians and maintaining analog equipment amid inflation and import duties, accelerated this transition, making affordable imported synthesizers and keyboards viable alternatives to custom instrumentation.^[4] The importation of budget-friendly Casio Casiotone models, such as the MT-40 launched globally in 1981, reached Jamaican studios by 1983, offering preset rhythms and sounds that democratized production in small-scale or "bedroom" setups without the expense of full bands.^[6]^[7]^[8] This technological accessibility, combined with the island's vibrant sound system culture, fostered a new era of efficient, innovative recording. Sleng Teng emerged as a pivotal example of this analog-to-digital pivot.^[4]

Influences from Pre-1985 Riddims

The Rockers style emerged in the late 1970s as a dynamic evolution of roots reggae, featuring faster tempos, prominent one-drop rhythms where the emphasis falls on the third beat with a syncopated snare and kick drum combination, and deep, bass-heavy grooves that drove the music's propulsive energy.^[9] Pioneered by producers like Bunny Lee and the Revolutionaries band, including drummer Sly Dunbar, this style shifted reggae toward a more aggressive, rock-influenced sound while retaining its rhythmic core, setting the stage for the transition to dancehall.^[10] A prime example is Gregory Isaacs' 1979 track "Soon Forward," produced by Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, which exemplifies the Rockers aesthetic through its steady bassline and laid-back yet insistent groove, capturing the era's blend of melodic vocals and rhythmic intensity.^[11]^[12] Building on this foundation, Sleng Teng drew direct lyrical inspiration from Barrington Levy's 1984 roots reggae single "Under Mi Sensi," a ganja anthem that vividly depicted marijuana culture and personal indulgence, influencing the title and thematic content of Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng."^[13] Levy's track, with its smooth vocals over a traditional riddim, popularized pro-weed narratives in Jamaican music, which Smith reinterpreted to emphasize "sleng teng" as slang for high-quality ganja, bridging roots sensibilities with emerging dancehall bravado.^[14] Pre-1985 works also highlighted recurring themes of street life, drugs, and dancehall culture that permeated Sleng Teng's narrative, reflecting the broader shift from roots reggae's spiritual focus to dancehall's raw depictions of everyday hardships and vices, providing a lyrical blueprint for Sleng Teng's content. This musical evolution occurred amid the rising intensity of sound system clashes in Kingston's neighborhoods, particularly Waterhouse, where crews like Jammy's Super Power tested riddims in high-stakes battles for crowd approval during the late 1970s and early 1980s.^[15] These events in impoverished areas fostered a competitive environment that prized innovative rhythms and crowd-engaging themes, directly shaping the cultural soil from which Sleng Teng would emerge.^[16]

Creation

Development in Kingston

In late 1984, the Sleng Teng riddim began taking shape through experimentation in the Waterhouse neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica, where vocalist Wayne Smith and keyboardist Noel Davey worked with a borrowed Casio MT-40 keyboard.^[13]^[3] The process started in November of that year, with Davey acquiring the instrument and the pair exploring its presets during informal sessions at local spots.^[14] The initial creation involved sketching a basic bassline and drum pattern directly on the keyboard, drawing from a preset rhythm that provided a thumping foundation.^[3]^[17] They tested variations in casual playthroughs, adjusting elements to suit the emerging dancehall style, including slowing the pace to a tempo of approximately 85-90 beats per minute for better rhythmic flow.^[13] This hands-on trial-and-error phase focused on capturing a raw, digital groove that echoed traditional reggae while introducing synthetic tones.^[14] Producer Lloyd "King Jammy" James then took over refinement in his Kingston studio around early December 1984, further slowing the tempo from its original faster setting to align with dancehall's laid-back energy.^[17] He incorporated echo effects on the bassline for depth and layered additional percussion, such as claps and piano overdubs, to amplify the track's hypnotic quality.^[13]^[3] These tweaks enhanced the distinctive "sleng teng" bass sound—mimicking a slang term for a potent marijuana cigarette—solidifying the riddim's iconic nickname.^[3] The development faced significant hurdles due to constrained resources in Kingston's grassroots music scene, including sporadic studio access and reliance on the single keyboard without a full rhythm section.^[13]^[3] This scarcity resulted in a minimalist two-bar loop structure, emphasizing repetition and simplicity to overcome equipment limitations while preserving the riddim's infectious drive.^[17]

Role of Key Contributors

Wayne Smith, a Jamaican singer born in 1965 in the Waterhouse area of Kingston, played a pivotal role as co-creator of the Sleng Teng riddim, providing the vocals and lyrics for the seminal track "Under Mi Sleng Teng." His lyrics explored themes of street life in Jamaica, particularly favoring marijuana ("sleng teng") over cocaine amid the era's drug culture challenges.^[18]^[19]^[20] Noel Davey, a lesser-known keyboardist and aspiring musician from Waterhouse who primarily played the melodica, operated the Casio MT-40 keyboard and discovered the preset rhythm that formed the basis of Sleng Teng by experimenting with its settings and slowing the tempo. Credited as the originator of the riddim's initial capture, Davey's hands-on innovation with the instrument laid the groundwork for its development.^[3]^[21]^[17] Lloyd "King Jammy" James, born in 1947 in Montego Bay and a veteran sound system operator with experience supplying dub plates to UK selectors in the 1970s, refined the raw Sleng Teng rhythm at his Kingston studio. As producer, he handled the mixing, adjusted the tempo for optimal dancehall feel, and oversaw its release on his Jammys label, drawing on his dub expertise to pioneer digital production techniques.^[22]^[23]^[24] The collaboration among Smith, Davey, and James exemplified the communal spirit of Kingston's music scene, where informal experimentation in Waterhouse evolved into a landmark through shared studio work. Indirectly, Okuda Hiroko, a Japanese Casio employee and reggae enthusiast, contributed by programming the MT-40's "rock" preset rhythm in 1980; she learned of its transformative role in Jamaican dancehall in 1986 via international media reports.^[1]^[25] Smith's death from heart failure on February 17, 2014, at age 48, symbolized the passing of an era for early digital dancehall pioneers.^[18]^[19]

Musical Composition

Casio MT-40 Preset Origins

The Casio MT-40, a portable electronic keyboard from the Casiotone series, was released in October 1981 for ¥35,000 (approximately $159 USD at the time), targeting hobbyist musicians with its affordable design and built-in features.^[26] This 37-key instrument included 22 instrumental voices and six preset rhythm patterns spanning various genres, such as waltz and samba, along with a dedicated 15-key bass section for accompaniment.^[7] Lacking advanced features like MIDI connectivity or built-in sequencing, the MT-40 relied on manual operation, where users activated rhythms via buttons and looped patterns by holding keys, making it a straightforward tool for home experimentation rather than professional production.^[27] At the heart of the MT-40's influence on Sleng Teng was its "rock" rhythm preset, a two-bar loop featuring a sparse drum pattern with hi-hats, snares, and a simple bassline devoid of chords, designed to provide basic rock accompaniment.^[1] This preset was composed by Hiroko Okuda, Casio's first female music engineer, who joined the company in 1980 after graduating from Kunitachi College of Music with a thesis on reggae history and sociology.^[1] As a reggae enthusiast influenced by Bob Marley's 1979 Japan tour and Jamaican sounds, Okuda subconsciously incorporated offbeat rhythms and repetitive structures into the preset, though it was officially categorized for rock music.^[1] The result was a minimalist pattern—internally a bassline ascending through notes like E, G, A, and Bb in a looping sequence—that emphasized rhythm over harmonic complexity, allowing space for vocals or improvisation.^[26] Intended for amateur rock players, the preset's repetitive, skeletal nature proved unexpectedly ideal for Jamaican deejaying styles, where "toasting" over riddims required uncluttered backings without the need for live instrumentation.^[7] Its analog-like warmth from ROM-based samples, combined with the absence of programmable sequencing, encouraged manual repetition that mirrored the one-drop rhythms central to reggae, transforming a hobbyist tool into an inadvertent cornerstone of digital production.^[27] The MT-40 reached Jamaica through gray market imports in the mid-1980s, bypassing official distribution channels amid the influx of Japanese electronics to the island.^[7] Priced under $200 USD, it offered an accessible alternative to costly synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7, appealing to sound system operators and producers seeking budget-friendly digital tones in Kingston's vibrant music scene.^[7] This affordability democratized experimentation with electronic rhythms, setting the stage for the preset's adaptation despite its non-reggae origins.^[26]

Riddim Structure and Sound Elements

The Sleng Teng riddim features a core two-bar loop structure set in E minor at approximately 82 beats per minute (BPM), which provides a steady, hypnotic foundation typical of early digital dancehall. The rhythm adapts the traditional one-drop pattern from reggae, digitally rendered to emphasize beats 2 and 4 with a sparse kick drum on the off-beats, creating a minimalist groove that prioritizes space for vocals and effects. Dominating the mix is the bassline, a repetitive E-G-A-Bb pattern played on the synthetic bass preset of the Casio MT-40, which ascends and descends to lock into the minor key while maintaining a driving pulse that became emblematic of the riddim's infectious energy.^[28]^[29]^[13] Key sound elements include the raw, electronic bass tone from the MT-40's preset, which delivers a punchy, sub-heavy low end without the warmth of analog instruments, marking a pivotal shift to full digital production. Producer King Jammy enhanced this with sharp piano stabs for rhythmic accents and reverb-laden percussion layers, including hi-hats and snares that echo dub influences, while omitting guitars and live drums entirely to emphasize the keyboard's capabilities. These choices result in a stark, futuristic soundscape that contrasts with pre-1985 reggae's organic textures, relying on the MT-40's built-in effects for depth.^[13]^[2] Harmonically, the riddim employs a simple pentatonic-derived scale rooted in E minor, drawing from reggae's traditional modal structures to ensure broad vocal adaptability over the looping bass and rhythm. This minimalism—limited to a few repeating notes and chords—allows for endless lyrical variations without clashing, while echo and delay effects on the bass and percussion mimic the plate reverb of classic dub plates, adding a spacious, immersive quality.^[28]^[13]^[2]

Release and Early Impact

Debut Performance

The Sleng Teng riddim made its live debut on February 23, 1985, during a high-stakes sound system clash between King Jammy's Hi-Fi and Black Scorpio at Waltham Park Road in Kingston, Jamaica.^[31]^[32] The event drew thousands of spectators, amplified by Jammy's mobile sound unit equipped with powerful speakers and amplifiers, a setup typical for such competitive gatherings in Jamaican dancehall culture.^[31]^[17] King Jammy's selectors introduced the track via a custom dub plate—an acetate record pressed for exclusive playback—starting with the instrumental dub version before layering Wayne Smith's vocals from the recently recorded "Under Mi Sleng Teng," marking an early prominent playback to a large crowd.^[17]^[13] The digital rhythm's stark, repetitive bassline and synth elements immediately captivated the audience, sparking a frenzied reaction that prompted the selectors to replay it multiple times amid chants and dancing.^[31]^[17] The crowd's energy peaked as additional artists like Junior Reid and Echo Minott voiced over the riddim on the spot, solidifying Jammy's victory in the clash.^[31] The term "Sleng Teng," derived from Smith's lyrics referencing a slang for a slim marijuana spliff ("sling ting"), quickly caught on among attendees, becoming the riddim's enduring moniker during the performance.^[13] In the hours and days following, the excitement spread via word-of-mouth through Kingston's ghettos, with bootleg cassette tapes of the clash recordings circulating widely and fueling anticipation for further plays.^[31]^[17]

Original Single and Initial Recordings

The original single "Under Mi Sleng Teng" by Wayne Smith was released in early 1985 as a 7-inch vinyl on the Jammy's label, with a dub version titled "Under Mi Sleng Teng Version" on the B-side.^[13] It was also issued internationally on Greensleeves Records in the UK, entering reggae charts such as Dub Vendor's at #5 by February 16, 1985.^[14] Produced by Lloyd "King Jammy" James at his studio in Waterhouse, Kingston, the track was recorded in December 1984 using a Casio MT-40 keyboard for the riddim, which Jammy refined by slowing the tempo and adding elements like piano, percussion, and syndrums.^[3] The release was hastened by the buzz from a February 1985 sound clash where Jammy's system debuted the riddim, captivating audiences and prompting immediate commercialization.^[33] Wayne Smith's vocals, delivered in a singjay style blending deejay toasting and melodic singing, centered on themes of preferring ganja—referred to as "sleng teng" for its slender joints—over cocaine, with lyrics like "Way in my brain, no cocaine / I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane."^[3] Inspired by Barrington Levy's 1983 track "Under Mi Sensi," the verses promoted marijuana use while rejecting harder drugs, reflecting a shift toward more direct, street-oriented dancehall narratives.^[13] In the months following the single's launch, Jammy's quickly produced dub mixes and early vocal cuts by roster artists such as Johnny Osbourne, Tenor Saw, and Sugar Minott, resulting in approximately 10 versions by mid-1985 that capitalized on the riddim's novelty.^[13] These initial recordings, compiled later on albums like the 1985 Sleng Teng Extravaganza, solidified the track's dominance in Jamaican sound systems and studios.^[33] "Under Mi Sleng Teng" topped Jamaican charts within weeks of release, achieving overnight success through widespread sales of thousands of copies via street vendors and independent distributors across Kingston and beyond.^[2] Although it did not chart on formal international lists like Billboard, the single's rapid ascent marked a pivotal moment in dancehall's transition to digital production, outselling many analog predecessors and fueling Jammy's label growth.^[33]

Notable Versions

1985 Core Tracks

The 1985 core tracks on the Sleng Teng riddim established its immediate dominance in dancehall, with artists adapting the minimalist digital beat to showcase diverse vocal styles and lyrical themes that captured the era's raw energy. These recordings, produced primarily by King Jammy's label, emphasized deejay and singjay deliveries over the riddim's sparse, preset-driven instrumentation, quickly generating dozens of versions that flooded sound systems across Jamaica.^[2] The flagship recording was Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng," released early in 1985, which introduced the riddim through Smith's singjay style—a blend of melodic singing and rhythmic toasting—while lyrically championing marijuana as a preferable high over cocaine, with lines like "marijuana in my brain, no cocaine." This track not only defined the riddim's debut but also symbolized a shift toward digital production simplicity, drawing from a Casio MT-40 preset to create an infectious, repetitive groove that resonated with listeners' street-level experiences.^[34]^[2] Tenor Saw's "Pumpkin Belly," also from 1985, exemplified the deejay approach with its slack lyrics—sexually explicit and playful—using the proverb "how water walk over pumpkin belly" to humorously critique female promiscuity and its consequences, delivered in Saw's smooth, melodic flow. The song's catchy hook and bold content significantly boosted Tenor Saw's rising career, positioning him as a key voice in early digital dancehall and highlighting the riddim's adaptability to provocative storytelling. Johnny Osbourne's "Buddy Bye" emerged as one of the riddim's earliest hits that year, serving as an upbeat party anthem that encouraged camaraderie and dance-floor participation through calls like "buddy bye number one" and references to fashion and group unity. Osbourne's energetic, chant-like delivery transformed the track into a sound-system staple, underscoring themes of friendship and celebration while demonstrating how the Sleng Teng's steady pulse suited communal, high-energy performances.^[35]^[2] Among other notable 1985 releases, Yellowman's "Under Mi Fat Thing" offered a humorous take on attraction to fuller-figured women, blending slack humor with self-deprecating wit in lines defending his preferences against societal judgments. Charlie Chaplin's "Batta Batta" provided direct dance instructions, urging listeners to "batta batta" (slap or hit the rhythm) with specific moves to energize crowds, reinforcing the riddim's role in igniting live sessions. These and similar cuts contributed to approximately 50 versions recorded that year, reflecting the riddim's explosive proliferation.^[36]^[37] Shared traits among these 1985 tracks included concise runtimes of 3 to 4 minutes, allowing for tight, replayable formats ideal for dubplates and clashes, and a pronounced emphasis on the riddim's heavy, electronic bass line, which cut through massive sound systems to drive bass-heavy drops and maintain rhythmic momentum. The Sleng Teng's simple structure, with its looping bass and snare pattern, particularly accommodated the improvisational vocals of deejays and singjays, enabling quick adaptations without overpowering the lyrics.^[38]^[2]

Subsequent Adaptations and Covers

Following its debut, the Sleng Teng riddim inspired over 500 documented versions across various producers and artists, with the majority emerging in the late 1980s as its digital sound permeated Jamaican music production.^[3] These adaptations often built on the original 1985 template by accelerating the tempo to suit the faster-paced ragga style that dominated the 1990s dancehall scene.^[13] Notable post-1985 Jamaican versions include Ninjaman's "Murder Dem" from 1990, which featured aggressive, hardcore lyrics over a re-recorded iteration of the riddim by producers Steely & Clevie, emphasizing confrontational themes common in the era's sound clashes.^[39] Similarly, Buju Banton's contributions in the 1990s, such as remixed cuts like "First and the Last," incorporated speeded-up elements to align with ragga's energetic delivery while retaining the riddim's core bassline and percussion.^[40] Dub adaptations also proliferated, with early examples like those on King Jammy's 1985-1986 Sleng Teng Extravaganza compilation stripping vocals for echo-heavy instrumental mixes that extended the riddim's atmospheric potential.^[41] Internationally, the riddim influenced UK jungle producers in the 1990s, incorporating its digital rhythms into breakbeat and ragga jungle tracks for a faster, rave-oriented sound.^[42] In hip-hop, 50 Cent sampled elements of the original Wayne Smith version in "Murder One" (2012, featuring Eminem), using the riddim's hypnotic riff to underscore gritty narratives in a mainstream rap context. In the 2020s, Sleng Teng saw revivals through dancehall playlists and remixes, including Vybz Kartel's "Da Rolling (Remix)" (2023) and "Gunshot (Remix)" (2023), which updated the riddim with contemporary trap-inflected production while preserving its foundational rhythm.^[43] A 2025 reissue of Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng" marked the riddim's 40th anniversary, but no major new releases were noted by November of that year.^[3]

Legacy

Transformation of Dancehall Production

The Sleng Teng riddim, introduced in 1985 using a preset from the affordable Casio MT-40 keyboard, marked a pivotal digital shift in dancehall production by replacing traditional live bands with electronic presets and drum machines. This innovation, pioneered by producer King Jammy at his Waterhouse studio, drastically reduced production costs and time, allowing for the creation of entire riddims with minimal equipment and no need for session musicians. As a result, Jammy's setup became a model for computer-based workflows across Jamaica, enabling producers to generate beats rapidly and iterate on them for multiple vocal tracks.^[3]^[44]^[45] This transition catalyzed the evolution of dancehall into the ragga (or raggamuffin) subgenre, characterized by faster tempos, minimalist electronic sounds, and a heavier emphasis on deejay vocals over synthesized basslines and percussion. The riddim's stark, futuristic aesthetic—derived from its simple "Rock 2" preset—influenced a wave of productions that prioritized rhythmic drive and lyrical improvisation, moving away from the warmer, analog textures of earlier reggae. By empowering vocalists to focus on slackness and street narratives without instrumental constraints, Sleng Teng accelerated the genre's shift toward raw, energetic expressions rooted in ghetto experiences.^[3]^[46]^[45] In terms of industry impact, Sleng Teng spawned the dominant "riddim culture" in Jamaican music, where a single instrumental track serves as the foundation for dozens or even hundreds of songs by different artists, fostering collaboration between studios and sound systems. Over 450 versions of the riddim were produced, illustrating its role in standardizing reusable beats that could be "versioned" endlessly for clashes and releases. This practice transformed production from bespoke sessions to modular, scalable processes, with King Jammy's success setting a template for other labels.^[3]^[44]^[46] Economically, the riddim's accessibility empowered small-scale producers in Jamaica's urban ghettos, democratizing music creation by eliminating the need for expensive live instrumentation or major label backing. Affordable tools like the Casio allowed independent operators to compete, leading to a surge in homegrown hits and a more inclusive industry where ghetto youth could enter without formal training. This shift not only lowered barriers to entry but also generated revenue through high-volume releases, as seen in the riddim's commercial dominance in 1985 charts.^[3]^[46]^[47]

Global and Modern Influences

The Sleng Teng riddim's international reach extended prominently to the United Kingdom, where it profoundly shaped the development of ragga, jungle, and drum and bass genres in the 1990s. British producers drew on its digital bassline and rhythmic structure as a foundational element for breakbeat and hardcore sounds, with The Prodigy's 1992 track "Everybody in the Place (Dance Hall Version)" directly sampling Wayne Smith's "Under Me Sleng Teng" to blend dancehall energy with rave aesthetics. This influence marked Sleng Teng as a precursor to jungle's fast-paced, bass-heavy style, cited by early practitioners as a key inspiration for incorporating reggae elements into electronic music.^[48]^[49] In the United States, Sleng Teng permeated hip-hop through interpolations and samples, notably in Beastie Boys' 1989 track "Funky Boss," which incorporated elements from Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi"—itself a version built on the Sleng Teng riddim—highlighting its crossover into rap production. Beyond Western contexts, the riddim's adoption in non-Western scenes underscored its global diffusion, particularly in African dancehall traditions during the 2000s, where the broader digital dancehall sound influenced emerging urban genres like afrobeats through shared BPM and bass elements.^[50]^[51] Tying back to its Japanese technological origins—created from a Casio MT-40 preset designed by engineer Hiroko Okuda, who retired from Casio in July 2025 after nearly 45 years—the riddim's legacy highlights cross-cultural innovation in music production.^[1]^[52]^[53] By 2025, Sleng Teng's modern legacy persisted through streaming platforms like Spotify, where curated playlists featuring classic and revived versions amassed significant plays, reflecting renewed interest among global youth audiences. Its enduring impact is evident in over 450 recorded versions, influencing contemporary genres such as grime—where multi-artist riddim sessions echo its collaborative ethos—and afrobeats, filling cultural gaps in urban music by providing a template for digital rhythm innovation.^[3]

References

[1]
Okuda Hiroko: The Casio Employee Behind the “Sleng Teng ...
Feb 1, 2022 · The “Sleng Teng” riddim revolutionized reggae music in the mid-1980s, and has spawned hundreds of versions in the decades since then.
[2]
Riddim Breakdown: Sleng Teng
### Summary of Sleng Teng Riddim Breakdown
[3]
How 'Sleng Teng' Spurred Reggae's Digital Era - The New York Times
Aug 8, 2025 · The legion of dancehall reggae classics that use “Sleng Teng” attest to its ability to accommodate a variety of ideas and vocal deliveries. The ...
[4]
Computer Rise: The Rise of Technology in Jamaican Music
Jun 4, 2012 · From roots reggae to digital dancehall, discover the impact of technology and machines on Jamaican music.
[5]
Dub Mixing - Sound On Sound
... Lee 'Scratch' Perry's famous Black Ark Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. ... Dub started in Jamaica in the late '60s with engineer Osbourne Ruddock, aka King Tubby.
[6]
History - Casiotone | CASIO
1981. Casiotone MT-40. The electronic keyboard famous for the “Sleng Teng” rhythm pattern that revolutionized the reggae world. In 1985, a worldwide smash-hit ...Missing: Jamaica 1982 economic factors
[7]
How Casio accidentally started reggae's digital revolution - Engadget
Dec 4, 2015 · Launched in 1981, the cream machine came with 37 keys, 22 different instrument sounds, six onboard rhythms and a dedicated mini bass keyboard.
[8]
Do You Know that Jamaican Reggae is a Versatile Music with ...
Mar 5, 2021 · The style of reggae music known as Rockers began in the mid 1970s. It was pioneered by the then Studio One house band called “The ...
[9]
5 characteristics of reggae music - Blog - Splice
Jan 26, 2023 · Reggae's characteristics include: vocal style with 'singjay', 80-110 BPM tempo, bass-heavy instruments, off-beat rhythms, and 'one drop' rhythm.Part Of Being A Competent... · A Brief History Of Reggae... · Breaking It Down: 5 Musical...
[10]
Soon Forward: CDs & Vinyl - Amazon.com
One of the most crucial albums by reggae singing legend Gregory Isaacs, Soon Forward features an all-star lineup that includes the quintessential Sly and ...Missing: Sleng Teng riddim Rockers
[11]
Wayne Smith's Under Mi Sleng Teng – the song that revolutionised ...
Feb 20, 2014 · Smith, adapting ideas explored in Barrington Levy's recent hit Under Mi Sensi, laid down a set of lyrics professing his love for skinny ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
[12]
Like a Human Flood: Attempting to Uncover the Real Sleng Teng Story
Feb 23, 2025 · Smith was inspired by the recent hit 'Under Mi Sensi' which lit up dances in 1984 with Barrington Levy describing an arrest for possession of ...
[13]
Cocoa Tea's Influence Goes Beyond Reggae Into Hip Hop, Jungle ...
Mar 11, 2025 · Cocoa Tea's smooth vocals and powerful lyrics have transcended reggae, influencing hip-hop and global music in unexpected ways.Missing: Sleng Teng
[14]
How Jamaican Soundsystem Culture Conquered Music - Red Bull
Aug 18, 2017 · From Jamaican sound clashes of the 1950s to DJ Kool Herc and beyond, soundsystem culture has played a pivotal role in music's evolution.
[15]
Sweet Reggae Music Pon di Attack: A History of Soundclash
Oct 12, 2016 · Sound clash is a Jamaican musical competition where soundsystems use a wide range of frequencies and compete before a crowd. It is a ...Missing: Waterhouse | Show results with:Waterhouse
[16]
Exclusive Interview: King Jammy and Jack Scorpio Open Up About ...
Dec 5, 2023 · The riddim album “Sleng Teng” marked the popularity of computerized riddims, forever altering the trajectory of reggae and influencing music worldwide.Missing: pre- Rockers Forward
[17]
Reggae Pioneer Wayne Smith Dead at 48 - Rolling Stone
Feb 20, 2014 · Wayne Smith, the reggae vocalist whose 1985 single “Under Mi Sleng Teng” reshaped Jamaican music by popularizing digital production in the genre, died in ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
[18]
Voice of the 'Sleng Teng' goes quiet - Wayne Smith, orchestrator of ...
Feb 19, 2014 · Smith, who was also referred to as 'Sleng Teng', died Monday afternoon at the Kingston Public Hospital. He was 48. Speaking with The Gleaner, ...
[19]
When reggae went digital - The San Juan Daily Star | Puerto Rico
Aug 13, 2025 · Before the year ended, Davey had recorded “Under Mi Sleng Teng,” with lyrics lauding marijuana (sleng teng) over cocaine (“no cocaine, I don ...
[20]
Noel Davey puts Sleng Teng on record - Jamaica Gleaner
Feb 27, 2015 · Noel Davey with the Casio keyboard he used for the Sleng teng rhythm in one hand and two albums featuring the rhythm in the other.
[21]
Interview: King Jammy | United Reggae
Feb 10, 2015 · Which was your favourite sound system when you were growing up in Waterhouse, Kingston 11? Duke Reid sound system was my favourite sound system.
[22]
King Jammy Legacy | Official Site
In the early 1970s, Lloyd James began his ascent through Jamaica's fiercely competitive sound system culture, initially under the moniker Prince Jammy. He ...Missing: UK | Show results with:UK<|control11|><|separator|>
[23]
King Jammy Exclaim!
Oct 2, 2007 · When the sound systems in England, when I used to send them dub music, they used to call me back after a dance started and say, "This one is ...
[24]
Meet Okuda Hiroko: The Japanese Programmer Who Helped To ...
Feb 4, 2022 · Okuda Hiroko, the Japanese woman who caught Reggaemylitis and created the Casio preset beat that gave rise to the legendary Sleng Teng riddim.
[25]
Casio employee is creator behind reggae 'monster of rhythm' beat
Oct 26, 2022 · The MT-40 was released in October of 1981 at a price of 35,000 yen (about $159 at the time, when the currency was trading at around 220 to ...Missing: original | Show results with:original
[26]
Casiotone MT-40 | HISTORY | CASIO Electronic musical instrument ...
The electronic keyboard famous for the “Sleng Teng” rhythm pattern that revolutionized the reggae world.Missing: price specifications
[27]
Under Mi Sleng Teng - Ableton Learning Music
Wayne Smith - “Under Mi Sleng Teng” · What is this bass sound? · How is this bassline put together?
[28]
Key & BPM for Under Me Sleng Teng by Wayne Smith | Tunebat
Jan 8, 1986 · Wayne Smith. Under Me Sleng Teng. D major. key. 10B. camelot. 82. BPM. 4:11. duration. Release Date: January 08, 1986. Explicit: No.
[29]
The Night King Jammy Dropped the Sleng Teng Riddim - Conesonic
Jun 30, 2024 · The story of “Sleng Teng” begins with an accidental discovery by Wayne Smith and Noel Davey. Experimenting with a Casio MT-40 keyboard, Davey ...Missing: process Waterhouse 1984
[30]
Sleng Teng
... sound clash between Jammy's and Black Scorpio at Waltham Park Road on February 23, 1985. No one needs reminding of the torrent of versions that followed its ...Missing: performance Aces System Kingston<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
Why 1985 Was A Landmark Year For Reggae: From The GRAMMYs To Sleng Teng | GRAMMY.com
### Summary of "Under Mi Sleng Teng" from https://grammy.com/news/how-1985-changed-reggae-forever-grammy-awards
[32]
Marijuana In My Brain | Red Bull Music Academy Daily
Jun 5, 2015 · ... Under Mi Sleng Teng,” was also a veritable ganja anthem, the lyrics and melody drawing directly from Barrington Levy's earlier “Under Mi Sensi.
[33]
Johnny Osbourne - Buddy Bye lyrics - Musixmatch
The song 'Buddy Bye' by Johnny Osbourne celebrates fashion, style, and having a good time with friends. The repeated phrases and counting up to four create a ...
[34]
Yellowman – Under Mi Fat Thing Lyrics - Genius
Under Mi Fat Thing Lyrics: A here come a musical thing call "Under Mi Fat Thing" / An' Yellowman goin' try a thing / An' I goin' see weh it bring, seen?Missing: Sleng Teng Batta
[35]
Batta Batta Charlie Chaplin (Sleng Teng Riddim) - YouTube
Jul 15, 2009 · Learn more. Meet the ramen community ... Batta Batta Charlie Chaplin (Sleng Teng Riddim). 4.9K views · 16 years ago ...more. Razor2305. 2.07K.Missing: instructions | Show results with:instructions
[36]
Sleng Teng Riddim - Compilation by Various Artists | Spotify
Listen to Sleng Teng Riddim on Spotify · compilation · Various Artists · 2012 · 8 songs.Missing: 1985 analysis themes
[37]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sPJ6KVX2r4
[38]
Buju Banton - First And The Last (Remix) Sleng Teng Riddim
May 28, 2023 · Buju Banton - First And The Last (Remix) Sleng Teng Riddim · Comments.Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
[39]
https://www.discogs.com/release/1422246-Ninja-Man-Murder-Dem
[40]
Jungle | Here come the drums
Mar 1, 2016 · Red Light was set up in 1994 by rave pioneers Shut Up and Dance as an outlet for the ragga-style jungle tunes they were making at the time.
[41]
Vybz Kartel - Da Rolling (Remix) Sleng Teng Riddim - YouTube
Jun 1, 2023 · Vybz Kartel - Da Rolling (Remix) Sleng Teng Riddim. 2K views · 2 years ago #vybzkartelmusic #vybzkartel #dancehallremix ...more ...Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
[42]
Digital Dancehall 1985: The Revolution Begins - by Dubmatix
Apr 2, 2025 · "Under Mi Sleng Teng" is widely recognized as the track that launched the digital era of reggae. Released in 1985 on Jammy's Records.Missing: chart performance sales
[43]
1985: The Digital Birth of Dancehall — Sleng Teng and The Year ...
Apr 26, 2025 · 1985 witnessed the release of “Under Mi Sleng Teng,” a riddim with vocals by Ian 'Wayne' Smith produced by Noel Davey and Lloyd “King Jammy” James.<|control11|><|separator|>
[44]
What Role Did the Sleng Teng Riddim Play in the Digital Revolution?
Sep 23, 2025 · The Sleng Teng riddim is more than a beat; it is a symbol of transformation. It democratized music-making, shifted power toward DJs and sound ...
[45]
(PDF) Dancehall - Academia.edu
As a result, dancehall democratized the Jamaican music industry, reflecting ... digital dancehall for producers including the early 1980s. Without the ...
[46]
The Prodigy's 'Everybody in the Place (Dance Hall Version)' sample ...
"Everybody in the Place (Dance Hall Version)" by The Prodigy sampled Wayne Smith's "Under Me Sleng Teng". Listen to both songs on WhoSampled.
[47]
Interview: Here come the drumz… 909originals chats to State Of ...
May 13, 2020 · Wayne Smith's Under mi Sleng Teng has been cited as an influence on the early jungle sound. We interviewed Gerald Simpson recently, and he ...
[48]
Beastie Boys's 'Funky Boss' sample of Barrington Levy's 'Under Mi ...
Sample chain found! Songs sampled in Barrington Levy's Under Mi Sensi ; Wayne Smith's Under Me Sleng Teng, Under Me Sleng Teng · Wayne Smith ; Bert Kaempfert's ...
[49]
The Digital Revolution in Jamaican Music: From Sleng Teng to ...
Sep 23, 2025 · The digital revolution in Jamaican music reshaped the island's sound in the mid-1980s, when computerized riddims replaced analog roots reggae. ...Missing: transition | Show results with:transition
[50]
Sleng Teng: How a Japanese woman influenced Jamaica's reggae
Feb 23, 2022 · This photo released by Casio Computer Co., shows Hiroko Okuda at Casio's technology center ... Okuda worked out six kinds of rhythms for the MT-40 ...