Jamaican reggae icon Cocoa Tea dead at 65
Cocoa Tea, the Jamaican reggae legend, has died aged 65 following a cardiac arrest.
Tea, real name Colvin Scott, passed away on March 11th in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, Florida after he was taken to hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. Scott had been struggling with his health for several years which had worsened in recent months.
Speaking to the Jamaican Gleaner, Scott’s wife, Malvia Scott, explained: “I got a call early this morning to say that he had been transferred from the facility to the hospital … which is like five minutes away … because he was vomiting. He was initially diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, but for the last six months he was also struggling with pneumonia.”
Despite Scott’s health problems, he kept fighting until the end with Malvia stating that “he was definitely very brave”.
Malvia, who has three children with the late singer, continued, “He was positive throughout it all. 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.”
Scott first rose to prominence in the 1980s in Jamaica, which eventually led to international acclaim, but his first release came in 1974 when he was only 14. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, he was a prolific artistic force of nature, typically releasing an album every calendar year, and occasionally, two LPs within a twelve month period.
His biggest hits included beloved reggae tracks such as ‘Waiting In Vain’, ‘Young Lover’, ‘Good Life’, and ‘Hurry Up and Come’.
In tribute, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said: “He has been a staple in the industry for so long. He is one of the greatest reggae singers who has ever lived and his work will stand the test of time. We salute him at this time … condolences to his family.”
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