15 Facts About Sugar Minott

Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, record producer and sound-system operator.

Sugar Minott developed a talent for writing new songs to fit over existing rhythms, often proving more popular than the original songs, pioneering an approach that would be central to the emerging dancehall style.

Sugar Minott 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.

Sugar Minott 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.

Sugar Minott produced early works by Nitty Gritty, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Colourman, Daddy Freddy and Garnett Silk.

Sugar Minott 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.

Sugar Minott continued to record on his Black Roots label, Youth Promotion Label and for Major and Independent labels.

Sugar Minott released over 60 albums and hundreds of singles.

Sugar Minott is one of the artists who appeared on the record, Radiodread, released by the Easy Star label, providing the guest vocals on the song "Exit Music ".

Sugar Minott ran the Youthman Promotion sound-system, giving young performers their first public exposure.

Sugar Minott married music executive Maxine Stowe, niece of Clement Coxsone Dodd in 1993, she was then working at Columbia Records.

Sugar Minott died on 10 July 2010 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew Parish, Jamaica, after being admitted earlier that day.

Sugar Minott had been affected by a heart condition since early 2009, and cancelled several performances in May 2010 due to chest pains.

Sugar Minott 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 Sugar Minott's children joined by Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Beenie Man, Junior Reid, Ken Boothe and John Holt.