Prove ‘Em Wrong Book Launch Kicks Off South Florida Reggae Month

Howard Campbell

SOUTH FLORIDA – When Andrew Minott decided to write his memoirs with Kevin E. Taylor, there were some misgivings about some of the challenges he faced before getting his life back on track.

But it was all just smiles for the Jamaican show promoter on February 1 at Wynwood Miami, where he launched Prove ‘Em Wrong, his autobiography.

This happened at the start of Black History Month in the US and Reggae Month in Jamaica and South Florida.

The event was attended by members of Minotta’s family, including his wife Ravina, sons Andre and Derek and cousin Devon, as well as several of his classmates from Cornwall College in St. James, Jamaica.

“To tell the truth, it is very surreal, I could not imagine that in a million years I would write a book. Never,” said Minott. “At first it was a little crazy and that’s why I probably stopped and it took so long because when I read it I was like, ‘Dude, the whole world will know my life’ and I was always closed. Human. Always.”

Minott has lived in the United States for nearly 40 years, most of that time in South Florida, where he moved in the early 1990s after graduating from college in North Florida.

He began to establish himself as a promoter of dance/reggae shows in South Florida in the late 1990s. These events featured top performers including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton and Capleton.

With the help of Taylor, the dreadlocked Minott survived that period of his life and also grew up in the Jamaican countryside, emigrated to the US, served in the military and raised a family.

“I just hope that people will learn from some of the mistakes I made and it will inspire a lot of people like single fathers who are taking care of their kids. I hope I succeeded,” he said.