Reggae Legend Cocoa Tea Dead At 65

Reggae legend Colvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ Scott died this morning following a cardiac arrest. He was 65.

His wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed to The Gleaner that the veteran singer passed away at 4:46 this morning at a hospital in Broward, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

He was initially diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, but for the last six months he was also struggling with pneumonia. Lymphomas refers to types of cancer that begin in the various lymph glands around the body when abnormal white blood cells grow. He was hit with this dire prognosis six years ago.

“He was a great co-worker, a great friend, a great singer, he was always a good youth and I just hope his soul rests in peace ’cause his spirit lives on. He was loved by his peers, he has done a lot for the business and this is a great blow to the industry,” well-known producer and singer Robert Ffrench, one of his long-time friends, told DancehallMag on Tuesday. 

“This saddens my spirit, a lot of times I should have gone to see him, but I didn’t want to see him in that condition. I remember the first time I performed in Apollo Theatre, it was Coco Tea and Little John were the artistes who accompanied me on my first time in the USA, a lot of memories. Hail to the great king.”

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said she was “very saddened by the passing of Sweet Sweet Coco Tea”.

“May his soul rest in peace,” Minister Grange stated.

Known for his sweet, melodic voice, as well as his powerful chanting, he scored hits with songs such as I Lost my Sonia, We Do The Killing, Rocking Dolly, Weh Dem A Go Do, Holy Mount Zion, Tune In, Rikers Island and more.

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.

He also famously introduced Grammy winner Koffee when he invited her onstage during his set at Rebel Salute 2018 where she made an impressive debut. 

Cocoa Tea’s last performance was three years ago on the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise. 

He is survived by his wife, Malvia and eight children.