David Emanuel may be a rather non-descript name, but if you have any British connections or affiliations with London’s music scene in the 1980’s the name David Emanuel immediately evokes memories of the cheeky Cockney with the megawatt grin. Smiley Culture, as he was more popularly known, died under tragic and suspicious circumstances on March 15, 2011 at his Warlingham, Surrey home.
Cockney Translation and Police Officer were the two hits that energized the British music scene; grafting the popular toasting of Jamaican DJ’s and melding it with the culture and slang of the first generation of Caribbean immigrant children seeking their own identity. Smiley became the poster boy for the new breed of musical stylee. Although his public profile as a musician was relatively short-lived, his influence impacted his peers and can be said to have ushered in the current crop of popular performers like Dizzee Rascal.
He was charismatic, intelligent and always with an eye open for opportunity becoming a trader in precious stones. He had concessions in several gold and diamond mines in Ghana, Uganda, Liberia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At the time of his death, Smiley was facing a charge of importing cocaine and on bail awaiting an appearance in Court to determine whether there was any case to answer. Much like the US grand jury if a case is established, then the matter would have been transferred for trial to the Crown Court. On the morning of March 15, the facts are that four officers from the Metropolitan Police serious crime squad went to Smiley’s home. As an outside police force, it is not known if they informed the local police of their presence and intent to question a constituent.
The official reason for this visit by the Metropolitan police six days before Smiley’s appearance in Croydon Magistrates’ Court has not been given. Some reports say that they were in the process of conducting a raid. What is incontrovertible is that the police arrived at the home at 7:00 am and some one hour and thirty minutes later, Smiley was dead. The post mortem report states that he died from a single stab wound to the heart. The limited police statement that has been released alleges that Smiley asked to make himself a cup of tea, went to the kitchen and then stabbed himself! As Merlin Emanuel, the eloquent and composed nephew and official spokesperson for the Emanuel family has said, “it beggars belief that Smiley would have stabbed himself’. What IS known is that the force of the blow pierced Smiley’s heart, lung and exited his back. One wonders at the police policy of allowing a suspect out of eyesight, especially considering the allegations concerning illicit drugs.
The IPCC, the Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting its inquiry, but as yet no official further word has been heard from the officers present at the time of Smiley’s death and as far as it is known, those officers remain on active duty.
The family, together with friends, fans and community activists are organizing a series of press release conferences, the first of which occurred on March 17 with another taking place on March 24 at Lambeth Town Hall. It is understood that plans are underway to organize a march to Scotland Yard demanding a fair and open inquiry in the singer’s untimely death. The family is urging support for the Campaign on Facebook and asks that folks sign on to the following: - http://www.facebook.com/#!/Campaign4Justice4SmileyCulture
There are certainly many questions relating to this bizarre incident, whether those questions will eventually be answered will remain to be seen. It is certainly ironic that the song that made Smiley Culture a household name – Police Officer, should prove to have so prophetic a role in his demise.
About The Author:
Sheron Pearson host the Conduit Show at 6-9 pm every Sunday at www.e2onair.com. Log on and interact live in the chat room or call in to 718 676 0330.
