Reggae and Dancehall Legend Cocoa Tea Dies at 65
Calvin Scott, better known as Cocoa Tea, the beloved reggae and dancehall singer who helped shape contemporary Jamaican music, passed away in South Florida on Tuesday at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Hailing from the fishing village of Rocky Point in Clarendon, Cocoa Tea initially aspired to be a jockey. However, his passion for music led him to record his first song at just 13 years old. His big break came in the early 1980s with Rocking Dolly, a hit produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes for the renowned Volcano label. Alongside Yellowman and Barrington Levy, he propelled the label to prominence with follow-up hits like Lost My Sonia and Kingston Hot.
During the late 1980s, Cocoa Tea forged strong collaborations with producers Lloyd “King Jammy” James and Bobby “Bobby Digital” Dixon, resulting in classic tracks such as Young Lover, Tune In, Lonesome Side, and Who She Love—a memorable collaboration with Home T and Shabba Ranks. His influence extended beyond reggae, with British singer Joss Stone sampling Young Lover for her 2015 track Harry’s Symphony.
Fellow reggae artiste and longtime friend Richie Stephens paid tribute, highlighting Cocoa Tea’s impact:
“He was one of di artistes who came in di business an’ change things up. His style, his personality and charisma on stage was large…he wasn’t a simple man. He was very influential, people love him an’ he made a lot of hit songs, so yuh have to give him full credit. When music come up, yuh have to mention Cocoa Tea.”
In 2011, Cocoa Tea released the self-produced album Wey Di Reggae Dey, inspired by international fans questioning the prominence of dancehall over reggae in Jamaica. Though widely known for his smooth lovers rock style, he also made political statements through his music, notably with Barack Obama in 2008, celebrating the election of the United States’ first Black president.
Cocoa Tea’s contributions to reggae and dancehall remain timeless, ensuring his legacy lives on in the rhythms of Jamaican music.
