Sugar Minott | Reggae singer, 54

Sugar Minott, 54, a smooth-voiced singer and producer who helped to popularize reggae music, died Saturday at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

His wife, Maxine Stowe, did not disclose the cause of death. Two months ago, Mr. Minott canceled performances in Canada after suffering chest pains.

Born in Kingston, the singer, whose real name was Lincoln Barrington Minott, launched his musical career as a youngster in the late 1960s as a member of the African Brothers reggae trio.

He started a successful solo career in the 1970s, gaining a following in Jamaica's dance halls with songs like "Vanity" and "Mr. DC" while recording for the famed Studio One, the Caribbean island's first black-owned music studio. In 1981, he had his biggest hit with a cover of the Jackson Five's "Good Thing Going," which reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom's singles chart in March of that year.

Mr. Minott was known for nurturing young talent with his own Black Roots record label and Youthman Promotion company. Reggae and dance-hall artists such as Junior Reid and Tenor Saw began their careers under his tutelage. "Sugar Minott was a man who gave a lot of strength to the music although he got no love from the business," Reid said.

A new album from Mr. Minott, New Day, is scheduled to be released in coming weeks.

- AP