Sugar Minott prepares for a 'New Day'

By: Joan Wilson

"Dancehall is at its worst," are the comments from the man who time after time produced hit after hits serving up some sweet brew to the massive. Well his concern for the sorry state it now finds itself is that there are no dancehall singers dominating. "Give thanks for the young artistes that are trying to keep it on a level like Sean Paul, Richie Spice, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal and Lutan Fyah to name a few," Sugar praised.

Sugar bemoans the fact that the DJs seem to be the only ones now getting the promotion and praise in the dancehall. He says a lot of people are forgetting the foundation artistes that brought the business to the fore.

"It is pure confusion going on these days and to make it worse they are trying to say dancehall is not reggae as if they are trying to kill out the reggae music", Sugar lamented.

Follow @YardFlex

Sugar urged the need to revisit dancehall and for them to take a few lessons from hip-hop, "instead of trying to be American, it needs to be reorganized and refocused on its original roots."

With that said the singer turned the focus to what is going on in his career. He has just completed his self –produced latest album 'New Day' and he is expecting big things from it. The album also features combinations with Toots, Pam Hall, Josey Wales, Ranking Trevor and the Youth Promotions crew.

With the album out of the way he is working on other projects with Black Roots Production, Youth Promotion Organisation and Daniel Minott on a new rhythm called Charm which feature Derrick Lara or the Tamlins, Carl Dawkins, Determine, Chrisinte, Norris Man and some new talents from his Youth Promotion label.

edgar

BIG UP TO MAN LIKE BUGA MINOTT AND THE FOUNDATIN HELDERS OF REGGAE MUSIC. I AM LIVING IN THE STATE AND WHAT I HEAR THESE NOW A DAYS GENERATION PUTING ON RECORDS AND PLAYING IN THE DANCE HALL IS A INTERNATION DISGRACE.BUGA MINOTT KEEP ON SINGING THE GOOD MUSIC AND I WISH YOU LONG LIFE AND GOD RICHES BLESSING. YOUR LONG TIME FAN.

Jah-Works

Dancehall and reggae music as we know it, are two of the same. The only thing that is really different is the lyrical content. Part of what Sugar Minnot is saying is that the consciousness is gone from the dancehall. Barrington Levy, Junior Reid, Tenor Saw, Half Pint, Frankie Paul, Cocoa Tea and many others have made their names by chatting on sound systems in the dancehall.

stacy ann

the foundation reggae is very strong i just attended a "Meditations" show and i am telling u i haven't enjoy myself like that in a longtime, pure forward songs like, " Woman is like a shadow", "running from Jamaica', "Nyah Man Story". We need this type of vibes back in business, music that lives forever. i for one do not understand how some record companies put so much attention into these new artist when their songs only last for 2wks to 6months. These execs need to take a closer look at the veterans. Taurius Riley is the only artist out there who a hold my attention. I'm a musical girl and no any thing can hold my attention. Respect to real entertainer who love the craft, time these likle thugs go sit down and stop hustling he music.

Coral

Hi with regards to what Sugar has said,totally agree,

I went to Island Village, Ocho Rios 22/02/08

And was entertained by some legends such as Sanchez, Flourgan, Yellowman, King Jammys, to name a few. And to be honest I am 43 and I felt like the oldest person there, so there is still hope for the younger ones they know the foundation and Reggae is strong, no man can tek dat from us, blessing to all

kebra

Respec in all Aspec to the Elder Lion "Sugar". I agree with him. Dancehall is losing its roots. No disrespect to African-americans, but they do not run america, nor do africans in europe run any part of europe. So why are Jamaicans who are a nation 85% African trying to be like others who do not have the same responsibility as them. People are trying to seperate reggae and dance-hall so that they can put all the slackness they want in it. Dancehall was created by talking or toasting over a reggae riddim. The riddims today are still majority reggae riddims and thats what sells dancehall to the world. Reggae is not simply onedrop.