The 'iconic first lady' of UK reggae has been laid to rest at a funeral attended by more than 2,000 people.

Rhona Ann-Marie Smith-Baker, more commonly known as DJ Bionic, headed up was the first lady of the first all-female UK reggae group, Bionic Posse, and hit the scene in the early 1980s.

She was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1959 and moved to Wandsworth in 1970 where she was based with her family, music and charity work for the next few decades.

She lived in Battersea and then Roehampton. 

In her eulogy, daughter Carleen Baker said: “She was a well established youth and community leader and school parent governor.

“She is well-loved and respected in the south London community by people of all backgrounds. She is a key known figure in the UK and abroad.

“She held a prominent role in the aftermath of the London riots in south London supporting local businesses and people.”

Wandsworth Times:

As DJ Bionic, her career started in 1979 and she had hits including To The Bump, Bubbling Hot and Working Man.

She toured the UK, Jamaica, Finland and Germany and appeared on the front of the City Limits magazine under the head 'Dub vendor making it big in the basement'.

Her video discussions online went viral and led to her having a role in the Plan B film Ill Manors in 2012.

Mrs Smith-Baker set up the DJ Bionic Rhona Obedient Charity, which supports schools, hospitals, churches and other groups in the UK and Jamaica.

He family has pledged to continue the work that she started there.

Ms Baker said: “Rhona was also well known for her community ‘all-dayers’, which was a community event for families to attend during the bank holidays bringing people from all walks of life together.

“These events spanned over 35 years or more – they helped to foster talent exposure at venues such as the Mona Lisa night club, banqueting suits, The Chelsea Reach and the Battersea Chopper.

“Rhona is the ‘Queen of South London’, the president, the agony aunt, the backbone and the heartbeat, sometimes even judge and jury.

“Rhona was known for her long locks, customised vibrant hats, monopoly collection and love of leopard print.

"She is known to be the life and soul of any party, having fun, dancing, loud, smiling, loving, eccentric.”

Mrs Smith-Baker leaves behind six children, Michael Baker, Duewaine Baker, Carleen Baker, Troy Zackie Baker, Prince Smith-Baker and Ricardo Smith-Baker. She was also a grandmother of six children.

Mrs Smith-Baker died peacefully on February 24. Her funeral was held at St Ann’s Church in Wandsworth.