Sugar Minott
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sugar Minott | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Lincoln Barrington Minott | |
| Born | May 25, 1956 | |
| Origin | Kingston | |
| Website | http://www.sugarminott.com/ | |
Sugar Minott (born Lincoln Barrington Minott, May 25, 1956, in Kingston) is a Jamaican singer.
He began his career as part of The African Brothers along with Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard in 1969. The group had several successful singles, and were an early example of the Rastafari movement's influence on the Jamaican music scene. After 1974's "No Cup No Broke", the African Brothers broke up (see 1974 in music).
Minnott's solo career was slow to take off. His first major hit was "Vanity" in 1978 (see 1978 in music); his debut LP was Live Loving, often credited as the first dancehall album. Showcase (1979) was just as revolutionary, and also spawned a great many chart-topping singles. Bittersweet followed, and then the third album of 1979, Ghetto-ology, which saw a return to roots reggae; the album was a critical smash hit. Roots Lovers (1980) saw a move towards lovers rock, which was a UK hit, and one of the biggest selling lovers rock albums during its era of popularity.
"Run Come", "Not for Sale", "African Girl", "Lovers Rock", "In a Dis Ya Time", "Africa" and "Make It with You" (with Carroll Thompson) were huge hits in the proceeding years. "Good Thing Going" (cover of Michael Jackson) reached Number 4 in the UK Singles Chart. Herbman Hustling saw a return to dancehall and roots reggae. "Rub a Dub Sound Style" is sometimes considered the first ragga recording.
Though he continued recording throughout the 1990s, his celebrity was rapidly fading, with his albums received more and more mixed reviews. There were some exceptions, such as Happy Together (1991) and Breaking Free (1993).
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Lincoln "Sugar" Barrington Minott is one of the great figures of reggae music, and carries the title of the "Godfather of Dancehall". He was born and grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and started his musical journey by entering talent contests in his youth. After he finished school he began selling records and formed his own sound system Black Roots, which was eventually to develop into the mighty Youthman Promotion.
In 1969 Sugar teamed up with Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard and formed the group the African Brothers. The group recorded a number of roots songs in the tradition of harmony groups like the Abyssinians, which included "Lead Us Heavenly Father", "Party Time" and "Righteous Kingdom". These tracks are collected on a compilation on the Easy Star label. Although artistically gifted, the group did not receive recognition, and the three decided to go their separate ways and pursue solo careers.
In 1974 Sugar then teamed up with the legendary producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, and the singer was partly responsible for reviving the fortunes of Studio One in the 1970s. Sugar wrote new songs and sung them over classic Brentford Road rhythm tracks and, some say, single-handedly invented the modern day dancehall style. His Studio One hits included such classics as "Vanity", "Hang On Natty", "Mr. DC", "Jah Jah Children". These tracks are collected on his two Studio One albums Live Loving and Showcase.
Sugar left Studio One in 1979 and formed his own Black Roots label. As well as producing his own material Sugar produced a number of established artists alongside up and coming talented youths like Barry Brown, Tony Tuff, Little John, Captain Sinbad and Tristan Palmer. Later on with the advent of Youth Promotion he discovered and produced such artists like Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Colourman, Daddy Freddy and Garnett Silk, who recorded his first song there.
Sugar released a number of albums that he produced himself that established him as a reggae star. These included Ghetto-ology, Bitter Sweet, African Girl, Music For Roots Lovers, Sweeter Than Sugar, Dancehall Showcase and Black Roots. He cut a set for Channel One, With Lots Of Extra; and also for RCA, Good Thing Going, which capitalised on the success of the UK pop chart hit of the same name. While Sugar was in England he discovered the group Musical Youth and released a number of Lovers Rock sides that were successful.
Throughout the 1980s the hits kept coming. Able to encompass different styles from rough roots to sweet lovers, through to classic dancehall, he was an artist of some influence. By now he was working for all the top producers on the island like George Phang, Sly & Robbie, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Channel One, Prince Jammys, Donovan Germain and more. His biggest hits included "Herbman Hustling", "No Vacancy", "Jamming In The Street", "Rub A Dub Sound", "Buy Off The Bar", "Rydim", "Devil's Pickney", and "Hard Time Pressure".
In the 1990s and into the new millennium Sugar has continued to record and tour across the globe. He has released over 60 albums and hundreds of 45's.
Sugar visited the Third Eye Studio in the spring of 2002 to record dubplate specials, and also to sing "It Takes Time", a new song produced by Rootsman. This track has been voiced over Rootsman's vintage "Intifada" rhythm.
