Iconic reggae/dancehall artiste, the late Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott, and his sound system, Youthman Promotions, were recognised, for having an ‘Extraordinary Impact on The Reggae Industry’ by Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), at its annual honour awards at Courtleigh Auditorium on Saturday night.
His daughter, Pashon Minott, who collected the award on his behalf, told The Gleaner, Sugar Minott was finally getting the recognition he truly deserved.
“This Sound was founded by my father, and back in the ’80s, Youthman Promotion was one of the first sounds to start this whole dancehall vibration. We endorsed people like Yami Bolo, Tenor Saw, Junior Reid and the list goes on. Daddy started it in 1983 for some of his friends in music, who were less fortunate than he was, and did not have the finances to launch their music career. Since he got out of the ghetto (Maxfield Park), he realised that if he had a sound system he could help others, and the movement eventually became bigger than a sound system and went worldwide”, she said.
Pashon Minott also showered praises on JaRIA for the award, though pointing that Jamaica needs to highlight the work of icons while they are still alive.
“I almost broke down in tears, because I was around during that time. It is certainly an honour to collect this award on behalf of my father, because I grew up in that yard with the sound system blasting, and we are still in that yard today. Two of the founding selectors, Major Stitch and Tuluci, were able to collect the award with me, and that was also a pleasure. This is only our second major award. “We won trophies for clashes but we are getting our due now,” she said.
Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott also received the Bob Marley One Love trophy recently, courtesy of the Bob Marley Group of Companies and Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell.
Deserved of recognition
“We are really appreciative of the recognition that Daddy is receiving now, and it is about time. Daddy gave me the story that the first show he ever did, Bob Marley approached him and sey, ‘youth, yu bad, so continue and don’t give up’. So the One Love Award also means a lot. I think Dad is deserving of all the credit that he is finally receiving. He has been doing music since age 13, and it took a long time to honour Dad, so we must definitely try to honour the icons while they can accept the awards themselves,” she said.
Sugar Minott Month will be celebrated in May, and his annual tribute concert will be held on the 24th of that month.
Endorsed by the Chase Fund, the event also recognised the likes of Major Joe Williams for his role in mentorship; Karl Pitterson and Overton ‘Scientist’ Brown, for their roles in engineering; as well as sound system, Downbeat The Ruler, under the category of Extraordinary Impact on The Reggae Industry.
