Sugar Minott

Sugar Minott (Lincoln Barrington Minott, 25 May 1956 – 10 July 2010) was a pioneering Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, record producer, and sound-system operator. He began his career in 1969 as part of The African Brothers, an early Rastafari-influenced group, before joining Studio One as a singer, guitarist, and percussionist under Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. Minott gained recognition for his ability to write new songs over existing rhythms—a practice that helped shape the emerging dancehall style. His debut solo album Live Loving established him as a major figure in reggae, followed by albums like Showcase, Ghetto-ology, and Roots Lovers, which displayed his versatility across roots reggae, lovers rock, and dancehall. In 1978, Minott left Studio One to form his own Black Roots Records and the Youth Promotion organization, which nurtured young artists such as Tenor Saw, Barry Brown, Little John, and Garnett Silk. He became a central figure in the UK reggae scene, producing hits like "Good Thing Going" (a Michael Jackson cover), "Hard Time Pressure," and "Rub A Dub Sound Style," the latter helping to lay the foundation for ragga in the mid-1980s. Over his career, Minott released more than 60 albums and hundreds of singles while also working with major producers like Sly and Robbie, Mikey Dread, Prince Jammy, and Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes, earning him lasting influence as both an artist and mentor. Sugar Minott married Maxine Stowe in 1993 and had 13 children, one of whom predeceased him. He passed away on 10 July 2010 in St. Andrew, Jamaica, after battling a heart condition. His legacy continues through his music, the artists he mentored, and the Youthman Promotions Music Centre, which supports young talent. In 2019, he was posthumously honored with a Reggae Gold award by the Jamaican government for his contributions as an artist and producer.