Pashon Minott continuing her father’s legacy 

She was the only woman dancing in a sea of men, clearly enjoying herself as a few of the songs she was promoting came on rotation. The gathered dancers showed their support and appreciation for the music in the best way they knew how – by dancing. She would later say it made her morning and left her happy, as for Pashon Minott, music is part of her legacy. Continuing the mission her father began means putting in the work to ensure his name and contribution to Jamaican society are never forgotten.

Pashon, daughter of veteran reggae artiste Lincoln ‘Sugar’ Minott, attended Dancehall Fridays dressed in a grey sweatsuit, blending in with the crowd as she showed support for young dancers and emerging artistes in the music industry.

Known for songs like Mr. DC, Herbman Hustling and Buy Out the Bar, Sugar Minott rose to prominence in the 1970s as he experimented with various styles, including lovers' rock and roots reggae, which blended smoothly with his vocals and laidback persona.

 As a singer, guitarist, and percussionist, Minott’s ability to write new songs over existing rhythms was groundbreaking at the time, and his debut album, Live Loving, propelled him onto the international scene, where he became a central figure in the promotion of reggae and dancehall. 

As Pashon told The Gleaner, she is walking in her father’s footsteps, promoting young artistes and doing charity work across the island because that is what her father taught her to do, to give a lending hand and a listening ear whenever it is needed.

 “I’m also working on my youth promotion and Sugar Minott Charity, so I’ve been spending a lot of time on that. We do a lot of work with Maxfield Park Children’s Home, just like daddy did, and we helped out with the hurricane relief effort because, though it has been like six months since the hurricane, plenty people are still feeling the effects and still have no roofs, so we continue to fill a gap and give back.” 

Pashon also shared that, as a music producer, she has been working with new artistes, including her brother Blaw Minott. She said she was taught by her father that anyone who is hungry and shows talent should be allowed to develop and make something of themselves musically.

 “I have new music out that includes Stay Strong, Success, and Chat Chat that I have produced on Minott Movement Production, so we’re doing big things,” she added. 

Her father’s birthday event, which she said is always a major memorial gathering with many artistes passing through to show support, will be even bigger this year as it marks what would have been his 70th birthday.

 “His birthday is coming up on May 25, and it will be his 70th, so you know it’s going to be special. It will be at Youth Promotion Headquarters at 1 Robert Crescent off Beechwood Avenue. It will be a gathering of his friends and young artistes who respect what he has done and his various contributions,” she said.

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com