Linton Kwesi Johnson, during a presentation on Smith's life and work at the second Caribbean Conference on Culture at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, had the following to say: "The late Jamaican poet, Michael Smith, was to my mind one of the most interesting and original poetic voices to emerge from the English-speaking Caribbean during the last quarter of the 20th century.
[6] Smith was killed following a clash at a political rally at Stony Hill, St. Andrew, on 17 August 1983 (Marcus Garvey's birthday); After arguing with three men, he was hit by a stone thrown by one of them.
[6] Linton Kwesi Johnson has recalled how the circumstances of Smith's death are shrouded in controversy: "As far as I understand the facts, Mikey had attended a political meeting in Stony Hill where the ruling JLP Minister of Education was speaking and [he] had heckled her.
The following day, he was confronted by three [persons believed to be] party activists, an argument ensued, stones were thrown and Mikey died from a blow to his head.
"[citation needed] Kamau Brathwaite's 1984 book History of the Voice was dedicated to the memory of Smith and describes him as having been "stoned to death".