SUGAR MINOTT Lincoln "Sugar" Minott is one of the great figures of reggae
music and is fully justified to carry the status as 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 Youth 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 superb 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 the recognition
they deserved 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 responsible for reviving the fortunes of Studio One
in the 70s. Sugar wrote new songs and sung them over classic Brentford Road
rhythm tracks and 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" and many more. 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 superb albums that he produced himself that
established him as a bonafide worldwide reggae star. These included
"Ghetto-ology", "Bitter Sweet", "African Girl", "Music For Roots Lovers",
"Sweeter Than Sugar", "Dancehall Showcase" and "Black Roots". He cut an
excellent 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 massive number of Lovers Rock sides that were
extremely successful. 

Throughout the 1980s the hits just kept on coming and it seemed like Sugar
could do no wrong. Able to be a master of every different style from rough
roots to sweet lovers, through to classic dancehall, he was an artist of
enormous 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", "Hard Time Pressure"
and many more. 

In the 1990s and into the new millenium Sugar has continued to record and
tour across the globe. He has released over 60 albums and literally
hundreds, maybe thousands, of 45's. He remains the true, original dancehall
reggae star and continues to be an inspiration and mentor to many up and
coming artists in Jamaica and across the world. 

Sugar visited the Third Eye Studio in the spring of 2002 to record dubplate
specials and also to sing "It Takes Time" a brand new song produced by
Rootsman. This track has been voiced over Rootsman's vintage "Intifada"
rhythm and is another inspired outing from Sugar.