Colvin Scott, renowned reggae artist famously known as Cocoa Tea, has passed away at the age of 65. His wife, Malvia Scott, revealed that he died on Tuesday morning following cardiac arrest at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cocoa Tea was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019 and was recently battling pneumonia. Malvia shared that her husband remained brave and positive throughout his health challenges.
Born in the fishing village of Rocky Point in Jamaica’s Clarendon Parish, Colvin George Scott began recording music as a teenager. He adopted the stage name Cocoa Tea in the 1980s, producing iconic hits such as “Rocking Dolly” and “I Lost My Sonia.”
The 1990s saw Cocoa Tea’s music gaining a wider audience, especially with the hit “Rikers Island,” which inspired a dancehall remix by Nardo Ranks. In 1997, he established his own record label, Roaring Lion, after releasing numerous singles through various influential music imprints.
In March 2008, Cocoa Tea released one of his signature tracks, “Barack Obama,” which served as a musical endorsement for the then-senator’s candidacy. He expressed hope for political change, highlighting the impact of Washington’s decisions on global issues.
