In 1991 when Andrew Minott moved to South Florida, the region’s reggae scene was establishing itself. Although not as busy as New York City or Los Angeles, a growing Jamaican population helped the music catch on in clubs and on radio.
By the late 1990s, Minott was promoting shows in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. His role in helping develop live dancehall/reggae in South Florida is covered in Prove ‘Em Wrong, his autobiography which is scheduled for release on February 1.
Minott will launch his memoir at Wynwood Miami. It is one of the events to mark Reggae Month in South Florida, which is promoted by Inner Circle and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association.
According to Minott, introducing his book in Miami, “means everything to me.”
He added that, “South Florida has been my home for 30 years. I started music when I got here, it’s become home now, and it’s so close to Jamaica.”
His first major show as a promoter was Family Day Reggae Bash in November, 1997. The biggest show on his CV, however, is Caribbean Reggae Fest in November, 2003 at Bicentennial Park, downtown Miami.
That event featured the three Bs — Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Buju Banton — and drew an estimated 30,000 fans.
Minott believes the reason for a decline in live reggae shows in South Florida is rising artist fees, top acts being unable to travel and astronomical production costs.
Born in St. James parish, western Jamaica, Minott migrated to the United States in the mid-1980’s and lived with his family in New Jersey. He attended college in north Florida and relocated to the Miami area after graduation.
His childhood in Jamaica, service in the US military and relationships with music industry figures such as his cousin, singer Sugar Minott, are intimately captured in Prove ‘Em Wrong.
Sound system selector Rory “Rory Stone Love” Gilligan will also be featured at the Wynwood Miami event.
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