Negus Roots was a label run by the brothers artist and Robert "Flako" Palmer. The brothers were Waterhouse residents who had relocated to England and ran the label from there. When visiting Jamaica they used to record artists for their label. The first release was the song "African Queen" with Lacksley Castell, released on a disco 12" in 1980. The first album was the Showcase set Suffering by Don Carlos, released in 1981.
The label is also noted for having released the highly sought after solo albums by Lacksley Castell and also some of Junior Reid's earliest efforts (as a part of the group Voice of Progress and also solo).