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Renowned producer Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke remembers veteran singer Cocoa Tea as a “headstrong and exceptionally positive artiste”, who, even in the face of illness, remained optimistic about his future. Speaking with The Gleaner, he spoke of their enduring friendship and professional collaborations.
“We had an exceptional relationship, much more than producer to artiste, we were friends. And there are very few artistes that I have dealt with over all my lifetime I would categorise and/or consider a friend. And he was one of them,” said Clarke.
Reggae legend Cocoa Tea, born Colvin Scott, died on Tuesday morning at a hospital in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following cardiac arrest, his wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed to The Gleaner. He was 65.
She said Cocoa Tea was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019 but was struggling with pneumonia for the last six months.
Malvia Scott told The Gleaner that following his diagnosis six years ago, the Nah Give Up singer kept a positive outlook, even to the very end.
“He was definitely very brave,” shared Malvia Scott, who is the mother of three of Cocoa Tea’s children. “He was positive throughout it all.”
Clarke also spoke about Cocoa Tea’s positivity during his illness, sharing that the singer had “high hopes” for recovery.
“Even during his illness [he was positive], I visited him multiple times. [On] my last trip in Florida, in December, I went and looked for him and spent a little time with him and we talked. I knew he did not look his best but I encouraged his spirit and prayed for him. So did everyone else, you know, as his spirit was high and he had high hopes. So, you know, we supported that.”
Clarke also recalled the numerous projects they worked on together, including four full albums and the collaborative effort Holding On, which featured Cocoa Tea alongside Shabba Ranks and Home T.
“We did about four albums together, you know. We even did an album with him, Cocoa Tea and Shabba Ranks and Home T called Holding On and way more. He was kind of a part of our stable of great artistes that we were privileged to have worked with,” he told The Gleaner.
Clarke said Cocoa Tea knew his value, and he commanded respect.
“He’s a man you don’t hear him in any mix-up or a quarrel with nobody. Him do him work and keep in his corner. He was one of the most respected artistes, and he carried himself with dignity and professionalism,” he added.
Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment, and sport, paid tribute to the late icon.
“I’m really saddened by the passing of Cocoa Tea, one of our greatest reggae artistes. He was a very prolific writer and an excellent performer. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the years, and I recall when he won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Pop and Variety DJ Contest. I spoke with him late last year, and he was so passionate about Jamaica. He wanted to return home to perform, that was his dream,” said Grange in an audio release.
She sent condolences to his family and the members of the music industry.
“I want to express my condolences to his wife, Malvia, and to just say to the music fraternity that we have lost a great Jamaican artiste, and I know that in recent times, a number of our pioneer artistes are passing away, but just to say that we will continue to remember them and to honour them and treasure what they’ve left with us,” said Grange.
“Cocoa Tea was such a great personality, a great performer, and just a warm person to know. Not many artistes are like that. He was humble and very talented, very prolific. You know, we’ve really lost a great talent.”
Cocoa Tea’s last performance was three years ago on the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise. In 2019, the I Am The Toughest singer performed at Buju Banton’s historic Long Walk to Freedom concert at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Known for his sweet, melodic voice, as well as his powerful chanting, Cocoa Tea was born in Rocky Point, Clarendon, on September 3, 1959. The veteran singer started making his name in Jamaica in 1985 with hits such as I Lost My Sonia and Sweet, Sweet Cocoa Tea.
He became successful worldwide in the 1990s and expanded his fan base, thrilling with songs such as Israel’s King, Weh Dem A Go Do...Can’t Stop Cocoa Tea, Holy Mount Zion, Rocking Dolly, and one of his most famous songs, Rikers Island.
After recording for many of the top reggae labels including VP Records, Greensleeves Records and Ras Records, he started his own Roaring Lion label around 2000.
In 2003, Coco Tea started the annual New Year’s Eve event Dancehall Jam Jam. It ran until 2009, with plans to resurrect it in 2015.
In March 2008, he released Barack Obama, in support of the then-US presidential candidate, who subsequently won the elections.
Cocoa Tea is survived by his wife, Malvia, and eight children.
Additional reporting by Yasmine Peru.
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