Godfather of Dancehall, Sugar Minott, dead at 54 (JA Observer, by YASMINE PERU Monday, July 12, 2010)

FOUNDATION reggae and dancehall artiste, Lincoln 'Sugar' Minott passed away Saturday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew.

According to Peter Burke, a close associate of the singer, Sugar Minott had complained of feeling ill on Saturday and was taken to the hospital where he died at minutes after 10 pm.

"Sugar had a heart condition and it was about a year and a half ago that he got the first scare. He was in Canada at the time and I was with him. But as soon as the flutters subsided, Sugar was back to being his old self. That is just how he is," Burke told the Observer.

"This is just so sudden and unexpected. Sugar Minott has made a major contribution to the music business ... he was truly an icon and I am going to miss him tremendously," Burke said,

Sugar Minott, who was born Lincoln Barrington Minott on May 25, 1956, earned for himself the moniker Godfather of Dancehall. He is credited with being the pioneer, who, by laying vocal tracks over the original tapes from the '60's, rather than using a live band -- as was the norm in those days -- caused a revolution in the sound that brought a new style to Reggae music known as dancehall.

A prolific songwriter and singer, Sugar Minott is has over 60 albums and is known for such anthems as Herbsman Hustling, Mr DC, House is not a Home, No Vacancy, Good Thing Going and Never Gonna Give Up Jah.

The veteran singer also distinguished himself as a talent scout/producer and early on in his career established his Black Roots label, which led to the creation of a sound system and a company, Youthman Promotions, to give young artistes a "buss". Artistes such as Little John, Triston Palmer, Barry Brown, Tony Tuff, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Don Angelo, Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Garnet Silk who did his first recording for the Black Roots label, Tony Rebel, Colorman, Daddy Freddie, Johnny Osbourne, Steve "Shalom" Harper are among those who passed through Youthman Promotions.

On hearing of his passing, singers Freddie McGregor, Johnny Osbourne and Leroy Sibbles reportedly volunteered to do a spontaneous tribute at the Rose Garden in Brooklyn New York, where Sugar was scheduled to perform last night. Minott also reportedly had gigs in California later this week including the popular Reggae on the River on July 18.

The Reggae music fraternity has been rocked by a number of deaths in recent months. Minott's death follows on the heels of IRIE FM founder Karl Young and Voicemail member O'Neil Edwards. (SOURCE: Jamaica Observer http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Godfather-of-Dancehall--Sugar-Minott--dead-at-54_7791596)

Sugar Minott is truly one of the best-loved performers from Jamaica.  He has helped many young artists come up in the music business and produced numerous memorable recordings.  Sugar Minott is one of reggae dancehall’s foundation artists.

From the onset of his career in 1969 in the African Brothers (with Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard), Sugar Minott has released hit tunes like “No Cup No Broke” in 1974 and his first major hit, “Vanity” in ‘78.  Sugar’s 1979 debut album - Live Loving, has often been called the first Dancehall album.

Hit after hit followed with songs like “Run Come”, “Not For Sale”, “African Girl”, “Lover’s Rock”, “Africa”, “In A Dis Ya Time”, and “Make It With You”.  A cover of Michael Jackson’s “Good Thing Going” was his first number one hit in England.  He returned to Dancehall and Roots Reggae with the album Herbsman Hustling.  Sugar’s Rub A Dub Sound Style album is considered by many to be the first Ragga recording.

Sugar Minott is without peer in the Reggae music industry.  He was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica.  After finishing school he began selling records and formed his own sound system, Black Roots, from which the internationally acclaimed Youth Promotion evolved.

Among the artists Sugar is known for producing and mentoring are Yami Bolo, Tristan Palmer, Little John, Captain Sinbad, Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Junior Reid, Colourman, Daddy Freddy and Garnett Silk - who recorded his first song for the Black Roots label.

With over sixty albums and hundreds of singles to his credit, Sugar has over thirty years of hit-making experience and has performed all over the world.  He has worked for all of Jamaica’s top producers such as George Phang, Sly & Robbie, Philip “Fatis” Burrell, Channel One, Prince Jammy and Donovan Germain, to name a few.  His biggest tunes include “Herbsman Hustling”, “No Vacancy”, “Jamming In The Street”, “Rub A Dub Sound”, “Buy Off The Bar”, “Rydim”, “Devil’s Pickney” and “Hard Time Pressure”.  Sugar Minott is the truly original Reggae Dancehall superstar who continues to shine and inspire the people of the world.

SUGAR MINOTT Official Website

SUGAR MINOTT on MySpace Music

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Peter Wardle
King's Music International
Phone: (510) 326-8445 or online at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.kingsmusicinternational.com