Malachi Smith

Biography

Malachi Smith is a renowned Jamaican dub poet, playwright, and performer, celebrated for his powerful blend of social commentary and reggae rhythms. Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, and raised in Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, and St. Catherine, Smith began writing poetry at a young age, publishing his first works while still a student at White Marl Primary School. He later attended the Jamaica School of Drama and became a founding member of Poets in Unity, a pivotal group that helped bring dub poetry to the forefront of reggae music in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Smith’s career is marked by his unique dual role as both a police officer and an artist, a combination that has deeply influenced his work. After migrating to Florida in 1987, he continued to develop his craft, releasing several acclaimed albums such as 'Throw Two Punch' (1998), 'The Blacker the Berry, The Sweeter the Cherry' (2001), and 'Wiseman' (2017), where his poetry is performed with reggae accompaniment or a cappella. His work is characterized by its focus on social justice, love, nostalgia for Jamaica, and tributes to reggae icons, reflecting both personal and collective struggles. Smith has performed internationally, headlining festivals and sharing stages with notable artists, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to literature and music.

Beyond performance, Smith is also an educator and advocate for Caribbean arts. He is a fellow of the University of Miami’s Mitchner Caribbean Writers Institute, where he studied under luminaries like Lorna Goodison and Fred D’Aguilar. He has directed theatrical productions, founded the Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour, and continues to inspire new generations of poets and musicians through his masterclasses and community engagement.

Fun Facts

• Malachi Smith balanced a career as a police officer in Jamaica while simultaneously building his reputation as a dub poet.
• He has performed at major international festivals, including the International Poetry Festival of Colombia, Poetry Africa in South Africa, and the International Poetry Festival of Taiwan.
• Smith’s poetry often pays tribute to reggae legends such as Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk, and Cedric Brooks, weaving references to iconic reggae songs into his work.
• He is the founder of the annual Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour, which brings poetry education to schools and communities across Jamaica.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Lorna Goodison - Studied poetry under her at the Mitchner Caribbean Writers Institute (Institute fellowship, poetry workshops) [early 2000s]
• Fred D’Aguilar - Studied playwriting under him at the Mitchner Caribbean Writers Institute (Institute fellowship, playwriting workshops) [early 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Poets in Unity - Founding member and performer in the ensemble (Live performances, group projects) [late 1970s–1980s]
• Michael Bryan (Mikey) - Collaborated on biographical documentary film (Biographical 'dub-u-mentary') [2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour participants - Founder and educator, mentoring emerging poets and artists (Workshops, performances, masterclasses) [2010s–present]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Victim (Word Sound 'Ave Power: Dub Poets And Dub)
2. Question (Dub Poetry (Inna Yuh Face))
3. Blacka De Berry (Tmpm)
4. Honey (Tmpm)
5. Question (Dub Poetry (Inna Yuh Face))

External Links

• Spotify