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.
Oh Mr. D.C.
Sugar Minott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And time so tough.
Time so rough.
Coming from the country with my bag of collie,
I walk up on a DC, him want fe hold me.
Don't you run now youthman, you won't get away.
If you slip you will die,
For I've got my clip, stuck right in my hip, now.
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you take my ishen!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you touch my collie!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
The children crying for hunger and I-man a suffer,
So you've got to see, it's just collie that feeds me.
Fifty cents a stick, and a dollar a quarter,
That's what keeps me alive, me and my two kids and wife.
So give me a chance sir, a make me gwaan little faster,
Just let me pass through, and Jah will bless you.
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you take my ishen!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you touch my collie!
No, for the time is so rough, I gotta hustle, yea.
I got the great sensimilla, and the good lambsbread, ya.
A little?? and a little??
You dread them waiting in the city,
We go lick it to the gritty.
So please Mister DC, won't you have some pity?
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you take my ishen!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you touch my collie!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you touch my ishen!
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
Don't you touch my collie!
No, no, no, no, Mister DC.
The song "Oh Mr. DC" by Sugar Minott is a powerful commentary on the struggles of a man living in poverty and dealing with the harsh realities of life in the city. The singer of the song describes his difficult circumstances, coming from the country with only his bag of collie (slang for marijuana) to sell. He is confronted by a DC (likely a police officer or other authority figure) who threatens him with violence if he tries to run. The singer pleads for the DC to let him go through, explaining that he needs to make a living and support his family. He implores the DC not to take his ishen (another term for weed) or his collie, as they are all he has to survive.
The song speaks to the injustice and inequality that many people face on a daily basis, particularly those living in poverty or dealing with drug-related issues. It highlights the humanity of the singer, who is simply trying to make a living to support his loved ones, and the callousness of the DC who threatens him with violence. The repeated refrain of "Whoa-oa-oa DC" underscores the power dynamic at play, with the singer pleading for mercy from someone who holds all the cards.
Line by Line Meaning
Time so rough,
Times are difficult and challenging, and there are many hardships to deal with.
And time so tough.
The difficult and challenging times are particularly hard to deal with and require a lot of strength and resilience.
Coming from the country with my bag of collie,
I have arrived from the rural areas carrying a bag of marijuana.
I walk up on a DC, him want fe hold me.
I come across a police officer who wants to arrest me.
Don't you run now youthman, you won't get away.
Do not run, young man, as you will surely be caught.
If you slip you will die,
If you try to escape, you may be killed.
And if you run you can't hide.
If you try to run, you will not be able to hide from the police.
For I've got my clip, stuck right in my hip, now.
The police officer has a gun holstered to his hip.
Whoa-oa-oa DC.
The artist addresses the DC (police) and expresses his concerns.
Don't you take my ishen!
Do not take my marijuana.
Don't you touch my collie!
Do not touch my marijuana.
The children crying for hunger and I-man a suffer,
The children are crying because they are hungry, and I am suffering as a result.
So you've got to see, it's just collie that feeds me.
Marijuana is what I rely on to earn a living and to support myself and my family.
Fifty cents a stick, and a dollar a quarter,
I sell marijuana for fifty cents a small amount and one dollar for a larger amount.
That's what keeps me alive, me and my two kids and wife.
Selling marijuana is the source of my livelihood and the only way to provide for my family.
So give me a chance sir, a make me gwaan little faster,
Please give me an opportunity to pass without arresting me so I can continue selling marijuana.
Just let me pass through, and Jah will bless you.
Allow me to go through, and God will bless you.
No, for the time is so rough, I gotta hustle, yea.
I am forced to work hard and sell marijuana, as it is the only option available.
I got the great sensimilla, and the good lambsbread, ya.
I have high-quality marijuana, including sensimilla and lambsbread strains.
A little?? and a little??
There are some other unidentifiable strains of marijuana mentioned.
You dread them waiting in the city,
There are people in the city who are eagerly waiting for a supply of high-quality marijuana.
We go lick it to the gritty.
We will sell the marijuana until there is no more left.
So please Mister DC, won't you have some pity?
The artist is pleading with the police officer to have some mercy and not arrest him.
No, no, no, no, Mister DC.
The artist reiterates his plea to the police officer not to arrest him.
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Fatelovesirony960
This song always makes me smile 😁 "don't chu touch my collie" , always gives me a little chuckle. Good vibes 🤙🏻 bless
@arsenalforlife5389
One of my favorites reggae song love it big up Mr Minott jus turn 29 today
@devondevon3416
One of the best reggae songs from one of the best reggae artists
@nimuependragon9069
Big tune back in da day, don't have this greatness any more
@Fatelovesirony960
Fiyah chune 🔥
@alphansobrown3623
I remembered 1979 I think it was ...I was in grade five at primary school ...along with Michigan and Smiley ... Nice up the dance and One love Jamdown .
@rojanscarlett521
Pops used to listen music like this every Sunday when Bob Clarke played on Irie FM. Good days
@rajivmorris5657
Buck up pon a dc. Hits never age general
@delroygardner8325
Was there a DJ called des Mitchell also ?
@larrymar19
This guy is a talent that will not be forgotten