sleng teng
nounAlso spelled: sleng teng , Sleng Teng , sleng-teng
/slɛŋ tɛŋ/ · sleng TENG
English Definition
A marijuana cigarette; also the landmark 1985 digital dancehall riddim produced by King Jammy.
Patois Definition
Di Sleng Teng riddim change dancehall forever.
Literal Translation
Sleng Teng (riddim name)
Etymology
- Jamaican Creole · sleng teng — riddim title / cannabis reference
Cultural Context
Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng" (1985) on King Jammy's digital riddim is widely cited as the turning point from live-band to computer-based dancehall production.
Where you'd hear it
These tags describe the situations or styles of speech where this word commonly appears — for example at church, in everyday chat, or in dancehall lyrics.
- Dancehall Party, sound-system, and modern reggae/dancehall culture.
- Everyday speech Common in casual conversation on the road, at work, or with friends.
Used in Music
Under Me Sleng TengWayne Smith
"Under mi sleng teng, under mi sleng teng"
The hook repeats the riddim title as both vocal motif and cultural shorthand for the digital dancehall revolution.