New technology has always driven new styles of music, and while authorship of the "sleng teng" rhythm has been disputed, it seems likely that it was Wayne Smith himself who found the sound as a built-in pattern on a Casio MT-40 home keyboard. The rhythm was apparently an attempt to re-create Eddie Cochran's Somethin' Else.

Subsequently, producer King Jammy added a clap to it, and thus the rhythm – or riddim, more properly – was born. Smith's Under Mi Sleng Teng – the first digital reggae tune, became the progenitor of ragga and so much else that followed.

Jammy recorded a number of other artists on the original backing track, including the Johnny Osbourne classic Buddy Bye, and Tenor Saw (with Pumpkin Belly) and the tunes were unveiled at a soundclash in Kingston in February 1985. Dub producer King Tubby, who had taught Jammy, was inspired to create his own "Tempo" riddim, while more than 180 versions of sleng teng followed. One of the most referenced reggae riddims, it was also used in MIA's track Pull Up the People in 2005.