By CBC News

amaican reggae artist and producer Sugar Minott died Saturday at age 54.

His wife Maxine Stowe said he died unexpectedly in a Kingston, Jamaica, hospital after complaining of feeling ill earlier in the day. No cause of death was released.

Minott had cancelled a string of Canadian concerts in May because of health problems, reported to be angina.

The smooth-voiced singer helped popularize reggae in the 1970s and 1980s with hits such as Good Thing Going, Vanity and Mr. DC.

He also was a pioneer of the Jamaican dance-hall scene, and known as a mentor to young Jamaican artists. [Read More]