Sugar Minott
Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott, born on May 25, 1956, in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, was a pioneering reggae and dancehall singer, record producer, and sound-system operator. His career began in 1969 with The African Brothers, a group he formed with Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard. They were known for their Rastafarian-influenced music and recorded several singles in the early 1970s.
Minott's solo career took off when he joined Studio One as a studio apprentice, where he became known for his innovative approach of writing new songs over existing rhythms, a technique that became central to the dancehall genre. His debut album, "Live Loving," released in the late 1970s, is credited with pioneering the dancehall style. He followed this with several successful albums, including "Showcase," "Bittersweet," and "Ghetto-ology."
In 1979, Minott founded his own label, Black Roots, and the Youth Promotion sound system, which became a platform for nurturing new talent. Through Youth Promotion, he mentored artists like Tenor Saw, Junior Reid, and Garnett Silk, significantly impacting the Jamaican music scene.
Minott achieved international success with hits like "Good Thing Going," which reached Number 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 1981. His influence extended beyond Jamaica, making him a global ambassador for reggae and dancehall music. Over his career, he released more than 60 albums and remained a sought-after performer worldwide.
Sugar Minott passed away on July 10, 2010, but his legacy as the "Godfather of Dancehall" endures, with his contributions continuing to shape the genre.
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