Jamaica Mourns the Death of Reggae Legend Colvin 'Cocoa Tea' Scott

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime  Minister Andrew Holness has described the late reggae legend Colvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ Scott as a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently “uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation”.

Reggae legend Colvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ ScottScott died in Florida on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. He was 65 years old.

His wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed to The Gleaner newspaper that the veteran singer passed away this morning at a hospital in Broward, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

She said about three weeks ago when he was admitted in the hospital “he asked if I was worried and I said ‘I am always worried’. He told me not to worry because everything was going to be all right. He was always very hopeful.”

“I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like Rocking Dolly and I Lost My Sonia, songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape,” Holness wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Beyond his musical genius, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation…As we mourn his passing, let us celebrate the rich legacy he leaves behind, a legacy of melody, compassion, and cultural pride. May his soul rest in eternal peace,”   he added.

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Olivia Grange, said she was “very saddened by the passing of Sweet Sweet Coco Tea” who was  born in Rocky Point, Clarendon and rose to stardom in reggae in the 1980s.

His first major breakthrough as a reggae singer came in 1984 when he released his first single, “Lose Control,” which became a huge hit in Jamaica and overseas in the mid-80s. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that he truly became a worldwide reggae sensation.