Judge Dread

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This article is about the British reggae artist. for the comic book character, see Judge Dredd

Alexander Minto Hughes (1945 - March 12, 1998), better known as Judge Dread, was a British reggae and ska artist.

1 Life and career
2 Quotes
3 Discography
4 Reference
5 External links

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Life and career

Judge Dread was the first white artist to get a reggae hit in Jamaica. He got his stage name from a Prince Buster track, and his first hits were inspired by Buster's single "Big Five".

The Guinness Book of World Records credits Judge Dread for having the most banned songs of all time. Many of his lyrics have sexual connotations, with one song "Big Five" using rhyme to suggest words whilst not actually saying them. A series of songs with "Big" followed by a number were some of his most notable hits, all of these featuring sex-obsessed but at the same time very humourous lyrics. His ability to write lyrics with rhyme, a sexually perverted message and at the same time make you laugh, is a very special one. It is unlikely that you will ever hear his music on the radio because of the nature of his lyrics.

Judge Dread died on stage in The Penny Theatre, Canterbury. This was, thought to be part of his humourous and lively stage act at first, but this was not so, and it was discovered that he was dead.

He should not be confused with the comic book and movie character Judge Dredd. In the 1990s, tabloid newspapers expressed concerns that young fans of the comic character might buy the artist's records by mistake and hear things that might corrupt their young minds.

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Quotes

"Let's hear it for the band" (Dread's last words)
"I've never been unhappy. It's not about fame or money, it's about getting the most out of life." (1997)

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