SUGAR MINOTT’S YOUTHMAN PROMOTION SOUND SYSTEM TO BE HONORED BY THE JAMAICA REGGAE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, FEBRUARY 28!

 Top: Reggae singer Sugar Minott

Bottom: Sugar Minott and his daughter Pashon in 2005—-

THE family of singer Sugar Minott is elated that his sound system, Youthman Promotion, will be lauded by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) at its awards ceremony scheduled for the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on February 28. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, Minott’s daughter, Pashon, was overjoyed at the recognition for her father, who died in July 2010 at age 54. “It is a honor.

This is great news,” she said. “We grew up on Youthman Promotion. We were raised in the yard right there where the sound system originated. Every Thursday night when Daddy used to keep his sessions, we were right there peeping through the window seeing all the young acts pass through.

We were right there seeing a young Tenor Saw, Tony Rebel, and Garnet Silk. So it’s great that he is being recognised for the role it played in developing reggae music over the years.” Youthman Promotion, along with Downbeat The Ruler are the sound systems to be recognised by JaRIA at its event to close Reggae Month. Pashon said she and her siblings are preparing to restart the sound system.

“We are rebuilding Youthman Promotion. We have the equipment and the boxes are being completed.

We will be launching Sugar Fridays on February 6 at our Robert Crescent base. It will be just like what Daddy used to have on a Thursday night. I am stressing this to my siblings. We, the ones who grew up in Jamaica, know the importance of this as we were there with Daddy.

So we’re just gonna continue his work and showcase new acts, just like he did.” Minott said her father worked to promote a lot of new acts as he was mindful of the circumstances from which he came. Having made it out of the ghetto, he was committed to helping those who came from a similar background.

“Mommy knew Daddy from he was 10 years old and she always tell me how him always have a ‘bag-ayouth’ around him from the Maxfield Park area,” Pashon recalled.

“Through music he was able to make it out and he always wanted to help. All that he did for these young acts he did if for free. He did it out of a genuine love and care for them.”

Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott was known for a number of hit songs including Herbman Hustling, Oh Mr DC, No Vacancy, Good Thing Going, Hard Time Pressure and Lovers Race.