Smiley Culture: Family call for truth

The family of David Emmanuel aka Smiley Culture called for the public to join the family to seek truth and justice about the circumstances surrounding the former singer’s death, and to remember the star for his achievements.

The family is calling for a public inquiry and an independent psychologist report to establish the cause of death, saying they have had no official statement about what happened.

At a  press conference held yesterday, speaking on behalf of the Emmanuel family, nephew Merlin Emmanuel said; “As a family we are in a state of shock and confusion and are determined to search for the truth of what happened.

“My uncle David Emanuel, otherwise known as Smiley Culture is now dead, he was, and is, a British icon who died under the most peculiar and suspicious of circumstances.

“His tragic death is not a black or white issue, although I am sure that his ethnicity has some relevance in this tragic event, no, this is an issue for all those who stand on for those fundamental principles that should be afforded to all human beings, truth, justice and equality for all.

“This is not the time to hurl allegations or vent our emotions in a way that would damage our cause for justice. So, in that respect, my family and I urge restraint from those who would seek to vent their frustrations through violence and disaccord.
 
The family have been told that Smiley Culture ‘died form a single stab wound while in police custody, while they let him go and make a cup of tea’, but they dispute this and are awaiting the outcome of further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Emmanuel asked for the community to unite but stated that ‘the Metropolitan Police and Government must know, that there will be no rest until that truth has been exposed’.
 
He said that Smiley Culture was facing an impending court case, but that the evidence in relation to this case was non-existent and he, along with his legal team, were supremely confident of being acquitted this coming week.
 
He also related that, “Smiley Culture was a successful international businessman trading gold, diamonds and other commodities, and was worth millions” ,  that he “enjoyed the support of businessmen, politicians and leaders from around the world, working with the government of Azerbaijan with  an investment portfolio that spanned Ghana, Uganda, Liberia, South Africa, India and beyond”

He related that, “that the case against him was void of any real evidence means both he and the family were confident, had he been tried he would have been acquitted”.

The family say they have no reason to believe that he would have taken his own life, and have an obligation to investigate and we ask those committed to justice to join in seeking the truth.

Emmanuel acknowledged public support saying: ”I would like to thank the thousands of people right across the world and here in Britain who have sent messages of support and condolences. These messages have been the source of great comfort and support and I thank all those who have expressed their condolences and support for the family at this most difficult time.
 
Adding: “Smiley Culture was a cultural ambassador a pioneer. There would be no Tinie Tempah’s or Chipmonks were it not for him, for he was the first to integrate, lyrically, the British dialect into modern urban music. Put simply, Smiley was the first, British, rapper celebrating our urban dialect”.

The full Emmanuel family statement can be downloaded here.