Reggae hitmaker Smiley Culture, aka David Emmanuel, has died of self-inflicted stab wounds during a police raid.
Associated Press has reported that the reggae star behind ‘80s hits ‘Police Officer’ and ‘Cockney Translation’ had his Surrey home raided by police as part of a series of raids during a drug investigation.
The Sun reports that the 48-year-old DJ asked if he could make a cup of tea before being taken into custody. He subsequently stabbed himself in the heart in the kitchen, where police found him dying of the wound.
The incident has been voluntarily reported to Scotland Yard and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation.
Smiley Culture enjoyed success in the ‘80s with two albums Tongue In Cheek and The Original Smiley Culture, appeared on Top Of The Pops, and was regarded as an influential figure in the UK’s rap and grime scenes.
He was charged in September last year in London with conspiracy to supply cocaine.
VIDEO: Check out our interview with local reggae stars Blue King Brown below.
