Editing Sugar Minott

{{Short description|Jamaican reggae singer (1956–2010)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|image= Sugarminott.jpg
| name                = Sugar Minott
| caption             = Minott performing at the 2008 [[Winnipeg]] Ska and Reggae Festival with JFK & The Conspirators
| image_size          =
| landscape           = yes
| background          = solo_singer
| birth_name          = Lincoln Barrington Minott
| alias               = 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=y|1956|5|25}}
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=y|2010|7|10|1956|5|25}}
| death_place         = [[Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica]]
| genre               = [[Reggae]], [[dancehall]]
| occupation          = Singer, [[record producer]], [[Sound system (Jamaican)|sound-system]] operator
| years_active        = 1969–2010
| label               = 
| website             = {{URL|sugarminott.com}}
}}

'''Lincoln Barrington''' "'''Sugar'''" '''Minott''' (25 May 1956 – 10 July 2010)<ref name="death">Campbell, Howard (2010) "[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100711/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_jamaica_obit_sugar_minott Reggae singer Sugar Minott dies at 54]", Associated Press, 11 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010</ref><ref name="Peru">Peru, Yasmine (2010) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Godfather-of-Dancehall--Sugar-Minott--dead-at-54_7791596 Godfather of Dancehall, Sugar Minott, dead at 54] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714171721/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Godfather-of-Dancehall--Sugar-Minott--dead-at-54_7791596 |date=14 July 2010 }}", ''[[Jamaica Observer]]'', 12 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010</ref> was a Jamaican [[reggae]] and [[dancehall]] singer, [[record producer]] and [[Sound system (Jamaican)|sound-system]] operator.<ref name="Barrow">Barrow, Steve and Dalton, Peter: "Reggae: The Rough Guide", Rough Guides, 1997, {{ISBN|1-85828-247-0}}</ref><ref name="Thompson">Thompson, Dave (2002) "Reggae & Caribbean Music", Backbeat Books, {{ISBN|0-87930-655-6}}</ref>

==Biography==
After working as a selector on the ''Sound of Silence Keystone'' [[Sound system (Jamaican)|sound system]], and then his own ''Gathering of Youth'' system, he began his singing career as part of [[The African Brothers]] in 1969, along with [[Tony Tuff]] and Derrick Howard.<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Gleaner" /> The group released several singles in the first half of the 1970s on labels such as Micron and their own Ital label, and were an early example of the [[Rastafari movement]]'s influence on the [[Music of Jamaica|Jamaican music]] scene, taking a clear lead from [[The Abyssinians]].<ref name="Barrow" /> After recording "Mysterious Nature" for producer [[Rupie Edwards]], the group recorded 1974's "No Cup No Broke" for [[Studio One (record label)|Studio One]], breaking up shortly after.<ref name="Thompson" />
Minott then teamed up with the producer [[Coxsone Dodd|Clement "Coxsone" Dodd]], as studio apprentice at Dodd's Studio One, working as a singer, guitarist and percussionist, and soon began recording his own singles.<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Larkin">Larkin, Colin: "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, 1998, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}}</ref> Minott developed a talent for writing new songs to fit over existing rhythms (which at the time was common when singers performed live, but rare in the studio), often proving more popular than the original songs, pioneering an approach that would be central to the emerging [[dancehall]] style.<ref name="Peru" /><ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Gleaner">{{cite web|last1=Black|first1=Roy|title=Sugar Minott A Dancehall Pioneer|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20180527/music-diaries-sugar-minott-dancehall-pioneer|website=Jamaica Gleaner|accessdate=30 May 2018|date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

After a number of moderately successful hits for Studio One, such as "Vanity", "Hang On Natty", "Mr. DC", and "Jah Jah Children", his debut LP ''Live Loving'' made his name and increased his popularity, and is regarded as pioneering the dancehall style that would dominate the early 1980s.<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Larkin" /> It was followed in 1979 with a second album, ''Showcase'', which included his singles that had been omitted from the first album.

The ''Bittersweet'' album followed, and then the third album of 1979, ''Ghetto-ology'', which saw a return to [[roots reggae]]. ''Roots Lovers'' (1980) saw a move towards [[lovers rock]], which was a UK hit. He became a bigger star in the UK than in Jamaica, his self-produced "Hard Time Pressure" being a major UK reggae hit in 1980, leading Minott to relocate to the UK, where he became a focus for UK reggae.<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Larkin" />

Singles such as "Run Come", "Not for Sale", "African Girl", "Lovers Rock", "In a Dis Ya Time", "Africa" and "Make It with You" (with [[Carroll Thompson]]) were hits in the years that followed. "[[We've Got a Good Thing Going|Good Thing Going]]" (a [[cover version|cover]] of a song originally recorded by [[Michael Jackson]] in 1971) was picked up for distribution by [[RCA Records|RCA]] and reached Number 4 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in March 1981, leading to an album of the same name. The ''Herbman Hustling'' album saw a return to dancehall and [[roots reggae]].

He released an album of recordings from [[Channel One Studios]], ''With Lots Of Extra'' in 1983, collecting several hits from his time working with [[Winston Holness]].

Returning to Jamaica, his ''Youth Promotion'' sound system performed regularly in Kingston's Maxfield Park, featuring [[Jah Stitch]] and newcomers who had been nurtured by his organization such as [[Ranking Joe]], [[Captain Sinbad]], and [[Ranking Dread]]. His Black Roots label featured his productions of these artists plus others such as [[Barry Brown (singer)|Barry Brown]], [[Tenor Saw]], [[Little John (musician)|Little John]], [[Tony Tuff]], [[Barrington Levy]], [[Horace Andy]], and one of his discoveries from England, [[Trevor Hartley]].<ref name="Thompson" /> Minott also produced early works by [[Nitty Gritty]], [[Junior Reid]], [[Yami Bolo]], Colourman, [[Daddy Freddy]] and [[Garnett Silk]].

In 1980s he was working with producers in Jamaica including, [[Mikey Dread]], [[George Phang]], [[Sly and Robbie]], [[Philip "Fatis" Burrell]], Channel One, [[Prince Jammy]], and [[Donovan Germain]], as well as recording for United States–based Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes (the ''Wicked A Go feel It'' album from 1984).<ref name="Thompson" /> His biggest hits included "Herbman Hustling", "No Vacancy", "Jamming in the Street", "Rub A Dub Sound", "Buy Off The Bar", "Rydim", and "Devil's Pickney".

He linked up with Sly and Robbie for 1984's "Rub a Dub Sound Style" single, which is regarded as a prototype for the [[ragga]] style that developed in the mid-1980s.<ref name="Thompson" /> Sugar Minott continued to record on his Black Roots label, Youth Promotion Label and for Major and Independent labels. His albums receive increasingly exciting reviews.<ref name="Thompson" /> He released over 60 albums and hundreds of singles. He is one of the artists who appeared on the (2006) record, ''[[Radiodread]]'', released by the [[Easy Star]] label, providing the guest vocals on the song "Exit Music (For a Film)".

Minott's desire for independence led him to leave Studio One in 1978<ref name="Barrow" /> and form his own Black Roots Records<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackrootsrecords.com |title=Black Roots Records |publisher=Blackrootsrecords.com |accessdate=18 December 2012}}</ref> label and Youth Promotion organization, the latter with the aim of helping young singers from the same ghetto background as himself.<ref name="Barrow" /> Minott also ran the Youthman Promotion sound-system, giving young performers their first public exposure. Youthman Promotion has new selectors working alongside the veterans of Major Stitch, Ragga Steve and Drifter, Daddy Ants, Mr Shorty and Jimmy Knuckles. The selectors most recently{{When|date=January 2021}} added to the sound are DiGeneral Starry B in 2007, alongside Poochiny and Jr War, who were added in 2012. Ragga Steve has taken full control of the sound with Earl Minott in the UK.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

Minott married music executive Maxine Stowe, niece of Clement Coxsone Dodd in 1993, she was then working at [[Columbia Records]]. They met At Coxsone’s Music City in [[Brooklyn]], New York in 1978, where they collaborated and produced the album ''Roots Lovers''. They have four children, Rachiim, Jahson, Candice and Osunya. Sugar has 13 children with one, Alton, predeceasing him. The other children are Tamar, Lincoln Jr., Daniel, Debbie, Andrew, Tamar Elaine, Kelly & Linval.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

==Death==
Minott died on 10 July 2010 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in [[Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica|St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica]], after being admitted earlier that day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hevesi|first=Dennis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/arts/music/14minott.html|title=Sugar Minott, Reggae Star, Dies at 54|newspaper=New York Times|date=July 14, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Peru" /> The cause of death remains undisclosed. He had been affected by a heart condition since early 2009, and cancelled several performances in May 2010 due to chest pains.<ref name="Peru" /><ref name="BBC">"{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10594863.stm|title=Sugar Minott dies aged 54|website=[[BBC]]|date=12 July 2010|access-date=12 July 2010}}</ref>

He is survived by his widow Maxine Stowe and 13 children, grandchildren, brothers, and sisters.

In May 2012, a charity concert was held at his former home commemorating his birthday, with Minott's children (who include daughter Tamar, aka Pashon) joined by [[Bounty Killer]], [[Sizzla]], [[Beenie Man]], [[Junior Reid]], [[Ken Boothe]] and [[John Holt (singer)|John Holt]].<ref name="Morgan">Morgan, Simone (2012) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Not-so-sweet-for--Sugar-_11518216 Not so sweet for 'Sugar']", ''[[Jamaica Observer]]'', 22 May 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012</ref> Proceeds went to the Youthman Promotions Music Centre and other causes helping local poor people.<ref name="Morgan" />

In 2019, he was honoured with a Reggae Gold award by the Jamaican government for his contributions as artist and producer.<ref name="Godfather">{{cite web |last1=Bonitto |first1=Brian |title=Sugar Minott – godfather for the youth |url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/sugar-minott-godfather-for-the-youth/ |website=Jamaica Observer |access-date=1 June 2022 |date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

==Discography==
*''Live Loving'' (1977, [[Studio One (record label)|Studio One]]) Roots Archives states 1977,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roots Archives|title=Sugar Minott – Live Loving|url=http://www.roots-archives.com/release/857|publisher=Roots Archives|access-date=20 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612154622/http://roots-archives.com/release/857|archive-date=12 June 2015}}</ref> [[Discogs]] says release year is unknown<ref>{{cite web|last1=Discogs|title=Sugar Minott – Live Loving|url=http://www.discogs.com/Sugar-Minott-Live-Loving/release/7222391|publisher=discogs|accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref>
*''Showcase'' (1978, [[Studio One (record label)|Studio One]], probably a smaller edition in Jamaica by Studio One already 1977,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Roots Archives|title=Sugar Minott – Showcase|url=http://www.roots-archives.com/release/105|access-date=20 July 2015|publisher=Roots Archives|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092121/http://www.roots-archives.com/release/105|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Discogs|title=Sugar Minott – Showcase|url=http://www.discogs.com/Sugar-Minott-Showcase/release/2213443|publisher=Discogs. A note says that the album Showcase was originally released in 1977|accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref>); reissued in US as ''Showcase'' (1992, [[Heartbeat Records|Heartbeat]]) with different mixing; reissued as ''[[Jah]] Jah Children'' 2012
*''[[Black Roots (album)|Black Roots]]'' (1979, Black Roots Records & Gorgon Records in Jamaica; 1979 by [[Mango]] for US<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roots Archives|title="Black Roots" by Suger Minott on Mango, photo of the album.|url=http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/8215.jpg|publisher=Photo of the albums artwork shows 1979|access-date=20 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092114/http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/8215.jpg|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> and 1980 by [[Island Records]] for UK and (Germany) with other, shorter names on the 10 songs). The LP-album ''Black Roots'', released for the Jamaican market on Black Roots Records, Gorgon Records and Thunder Bolt is dated 1978, so the album is recorded before the year 1979.
*''Bittersweet'' (1979, Gorgon Records in Jamaica; Warrior Records in UK); also released as ''Give The People'' (1979, [[United Artists Records]]) in UK
*''Ghetto – Ology'' (1979, [[Trojan Records|Trojan]]) – reissued as ''Ghetto-ology + Dub'' (2000, [[Easy Star Records]] in US)
*''Roots Lovers'' (1980, Black Roots); in Jamaica also released as ''Music for the Roots Lovers'' (1980?, Black Roots) with ''Sugar Minott & Black Roots Players''
*''African Girl'' (1981, Black Roots); pre-release album was produced and released 1980<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roots Archives|title="African Girl", pre-release, by Sugar Minott|url=http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4955.jpg|access-date=20 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092112/http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/4955.jpg|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
*''Sweeter Than Sugar'' (1981, Sonic Sounds for Jamaica, Hummingbird Records for US and UK)
*''[[We've Got a Good Thing Going|Good Thing Going]]'' (1981, [[RCA]] for UK); (1982 [[Heartbeat Records|Heartbeat]] for US); Re-issued with smaller edits as ''Good Thing Going'' (1994, Black Roots Records)
*''More Sugar Minott'' (1982, Studio One) – released on Jamaica
*''Dancehall Showcase'' (1983, Black Roots)
*''With Lots Of Extra'' (1983, Hitbound)
*''Herbman Hustling'' (1984, Black Roots)
*''Slice of the Cake'' (1984, Black Roots)
*''Wicked a Go Feel It'' (1984, Wackies)
*''Leader for the Pack'' (1985, Striker Lee)
*''Rydim'' (1985, Greensleeves)
*''Time Longer Than Rope'' (1985, Greensleeves)
*''Inna Reggae Dance Hall'' (1986, Black Roots)
*''Sugar & Spice'' (1986, Taxi)
*''Jamming in the Streets'' (1987, Wackies)
*''African Soldier'' (1988, Black Roots)
*''Buy Off De Bar'' (1988, Sonic Sounds)
*''Sugar Minott & Youth Promotion'' (1988, NEC)
*''Lovers Rock Inna Dance Hall'' (1988, Youth Promotion)
*''Sufferers Choice'' (1988, Black Roots)
*''Ghetto Youth Dem Rising'' (1988, Black Roots)
*''The Boss Is Back'' (1989, [[RAS Records|RAS]])
*''Ghetto Child'' (1989, Black Roots)
*''Smile'' (1990, L&M)
*''A Touch of Class'' (1991, Jammy's)
*''Happy Together'' (1991, Black Roots)
*''Run Things'' (1993, [[VP Records|VP]])
*''Breaking Free'' (1994, RAS)
*''Stir it Up (feat. [[Daddy Freddy]])'' (1994, [[Music of Life]])
*''International'' (1996, RAS)
*''Musical Murder'' (1997, VP)
*''Good Thing Going'' (1998, VP)
*''Easy Squeeze'' (1999, World)
*''Simply the Best'' (2000), World
*''From the Heart'' (2000), Blackwacks
*''Leave Out a Babylon'' (2005), Discograph
*''In A Lovers Roots Style'' (2008), Pinnacle
*''Tribute to Studio One'' (2009), Tad's
*''New Day'' (2009), Stop Look Listen

;Split albums:
*''Rockers Award Winners'' (1985, [[Greensleeves Records|Greensleeves]]) (Sugar Minott and [[Leroy Smart]])
*''Double Dose'' (1987, Blue Mountain) (Sugar Minott and [[Gregory Isaacs]])
*''Showdown Volume 2'' (Channel One) (Sugar Minott and Frankie Paul)

;Compilations:
*''With Lots of Extra'' (1983, Hitbound)
*''Best of Vol 1'' (1988, Black Roots)
*''Collectors Collection Vol 1'' (1996, Black Roots)
*''RAS Portrait'' (1997, RAS)
*''Sugar Minott's Hidden Treasures'' (1999, Easy Star)
*''Hard Time Pressure: Reggae Anthology'' (2011, VP Records)

;With the African Brothers:
{{Main|The African Brothers#Discography}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926042340/http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/31 Roots Archive discography]
* {{discogs artist|Sugar Minott}}
* {{IMDb name|3624364}}
*[http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/smallaxe/sugarminottsmallaxe.htm Interview by Ray Hurford]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minott, Sugar}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Singers from Kingston, Jamaica]]
[[Category:Jamaican reggae singers]]
[[Category:Jamaican male singers]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Easy Star Records artists]]
[[Category:VP Records artists]]
[[Category:Heartbeat Records artists]]
[[Category:The African Brothers members]]