Sugar Minott spent his youth hanging around the legendary "Studio 1" listening to the artists that recorded there, such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, The Heptones, Dennis Brown and others.
Sugar began his career with the formation of the African Brothers, along with Tony Tuff and Derek Howard (and later Triston Palmer) in the early 1970s. The African Brothers were a harmonious roots act, of which Sugar became the most popular member. By 1979, Sugar had been invited by Studio 1 to record a solo album.
When recording at Studio 1, he chose not to use a backing band as in conventional recording, but elected to sing over instrumental versions of old Studio 1 classics. This is considered to be the birth of "dancehall," which lead to countless artists making new hits out of old classics, a tradition that continues in Jamaica today.
Sugar was also well-regarded for hard work on his Youthman Promotion sound system and Black Roots & Youthman Promotion labels into the 1980s, which brought forth such artists as Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Yami Bolo, Junior Reid, Tony Rebel, Garnett Silk, and many more to the industry. Up until his death, he was still working with young artists both in Jamaica and the US, including his daughter Pashon Minott.
Hard Time Pressure
Sugar Minott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
babylon a put on the pressure, oh yes
Hard time pressure
babylone a put on the pressure, oh yes
hard time pressure
On this land, On this land
some are forced to stay under it, oh yes
got to keep on slaving inna babylon
ya got to keep on slaving, oh yes
inna babylon
Rastaman, don't you give it up
Just keep on facing Jah and lick your luck, oh yes
you got to keep on stepping outta babylon
keep on stepping, yeah
out ah babylon
everybody got to keep on work it out
everydoby got to keep on slaving right now
keep on slaving inna babylon, hard time pressure
just keep on slaving inna babylon
watch this, watch this
hard time pressure inna babylon
hard time pressure inna babylon
Captain Sinbad:
Sayin' ah me caan stand the pressure inna babylon
Seh nah me caan stand the pressure inna babylon
An me seh babylon ah put on the pressure mon
The lyrics to Sugar Minott's "Hard Time Pressure" convey a sense of struggle and hopelessness in the face of oppression. The repeated phrase "babylon a put on the pressure" refers to the societal and governmental institutions that create an environment of hardship and suffering. The song speaks to the reality that many people are forced to stay in difficult circumstances, unable to leave due to poverty and lack of opportunities. The line "got to keep on slaving inna babylon" suggests that despite these challenges, individuals must continue to work and survive in a system that may not have their best interests in mind.
However, the song also offers a message of resilience and self-determination. The refrain "Rastaman, don't you give it up / Just keep on facing Jah and lick your luck" encourages perseverance and reliance on one's own inner strength and faith. The phrase "keep on stepping outta babylon" speaks to the idea of breaking free from the constraints and limitations of the current system and striving towards a better future.
Overall, "Hard Time Pressure" is a powerful reflection on the complexities of living under oppressive conditions and the struggle to maintain hope and agency in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
OOH, OOH OOWEE, right now say
Expressing a feeling of discomfort and stress from the current situation.
babylon a put on the pressure, oh yes
The oppressive system is imposing difficulties and struggles on the people.
Hard time pressure
The challenges faced are difficult and intense.
On this land, On this land
The hardships are present in this specific location and affect its inhabitants.
Some can't take it but they can't leave it
Some people are unable to cope with the pressure, but have no choice but to endure it.
some are forced to stay under it, oh yes
The oppressive system leaves some people with no other option than to remain under its pressure.
got to keep on slaving inna babylon
The people are required to continue working and struggling under the oppressive system.
ya got to keep on slaving, oh yes
There is no way to escape the struggle and labor imposed by the system.
Rastaman, don't you give it up
Encouraging a specific group (Rastafarians) to not lose hope.
Just keep on facing Jah and lick your luck, oh yes
Keep trusting in Jah (God) and hoping for good fortune.
you got to keep on stepping outta babylon
Encouraging people to escape and break free from the oppressive system.
keep on stepping, yeah
Persistence is needed to achieve freedom.
everybody got to keep on work it out
Everyone needs to continue striving and working hard.
everybody got to keep on slaving right now
The struggle and labor under the oppressive system are ongoing.
just keep on slaving inna babylon
There is no escaping the struggle and labor under the oppressive system.
watch this, watch this
Attention is being drawn to the seriousness of the situation.
hard time pressure inna babylon
The pressure and struggles imposed by the oppressive system are intense and continuous.
Captain Sinbad:
Introducing a different speaker (Captain Sinbad).
Sayin' ah me caan stand the pressure inna babylon
Expressing personal inability to cope with the pressure of the oppressive system.
Seh nah me caan stand the pressure inna babylon
Echoing the sentiment that the pressure is too intense to handle.
An me seh babylon ah put on the pressure mon
Reiterating that the oppressive system is imposing the pressure and difficulties being faced.
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ismaelgoros532
Babylon ah put on the pressure.. oh yes
Hard time pressure
Babylon ah put on the pressure.. oh yes
Hard time pressure
On this land, on this land
Some can't take it, but they can't leave it, leave it
Some are forced to stay under it, oh yes
You got to keep on slaving.. inna Babylon
You got to keep on slaving, oh yes.. inna Babylon
Rastaman don't you give it up, give it up
Just keep on praising Jah and lick your yup, oh yes
You got to keep on stepping, yeah
Outta Babylon, one more time, step it!
Keep on stepping, yeah
Outta Babylon
(..)
Everybody got to keep on working hard
Everybody got to keep on slaving, right now, now, now, now
Keep on slaving.. inna Babylon
Hard time pressure
You just keep on slaving.. inna Babylon
Watch this, watch this
Hard time pressure inna Babylon
Hard time pressure inna Babylon
Hard time pressure inna Babylon
Hard time pressure inna dis ya land🔥🔥🇯🇲💯🦁🦁🦁😎
@rootsma5746
I've said this on other videos, but just want to reiterate that Sugar Minott is the most versatile and under rated reggae singer. From Lovers Rock to Roots to Dancehall, he never was out of his element. You can't mention Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and Freddie McGegor without championing Sugar Minott.
@ryanhoranable
No doubt, he is among one of the greatest musicians of all time period IMO
@zenheadshot3742
Sugar Minott definitely deserves way more recognition. Not by the global commercialized side of reggae, but for the real revolutionary Reggae fans around the world who can feel the messages and talent in a wise manner. RIP Lincoln Sugar Minott, the True DANCEHALL King.
@tyleranderson7636
He is the realest reggae Artist of all time Brother
@surverain
great! thank you
@martinclark6952
Prolific Hits
@simonnapier9041
YES i
@beverleyj23
I quite agree!!!!!!!
@katrinagrady879
I just can't tire of this man's voice!
@matthewm7540
Oohhyeeeeeeaaaaaes