Source Material: Sugar Minott – “Hard Time Pressure”

Sugar Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer from Kingston, Jamaica.  Minott started out as a selector (DJ) for two local sound systems (a crew of musicians who battled in sound clashes).  First, he was the selector for the Sound of Silence Keystone, and then Minott created the Gathering of Youth sound system.  In 1969, he began his singing career. Together with Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard, he created The African Brothers.  In the mid-70s, the trio broke up and each member pursued solo careers.

Minott found a groove with Studio One, and he worked as a singer, guitarist, and a percussionist.  In 1975, Minott started releasing his own singles, and in 1977, he released his debut album, Live Loving.  One year later, he cut an additional album for Studio One called Showcase (1978), but it ended up being his last release on the label.  That same year, Minott launched his own record label called Black Roots Records.  He released his third album, Black Roots, and it featured “Hard Time Pressure.”  The song became a hit in the UK, but as Minott’s success expanded internationally, he maintained his grassroots impact at home.

Sugar Minott – “Hard Time Pressure”