The legendary reggae singer Cocoa Tea passed away this tuesday 11 March morning at Broward Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in United States, as confirmed by his family, After cardiac arrest.
“I received an early call this morning to tell me that they had transferred it from the installation to the hospital that is about five minutes away because I was vomiting. Initially they diagnosed lymphoma in 2019, But during the last six months he was also fighting pneumonia”, Said the singer's wife, Malvia Scott, to the Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner.
At the end of 2023 and early 2024 There were intense rumors about the death of the artist, However, on that occasion the family denied his death and asked to pray for him.
Colvin George Scott, his real name, It was a pioneer in the reggae world, with a moving voice, Lyrics with social conscience and its indelible impact on the genre that will be remembered by music lovers around the world.
born 3 September 1959 en Rocky Point, Clarendon, Jamaica, He was a child prodigy of music by recording his first single “Searching In the Hills” to the 14 years.
Then, jumps to fame in the mid -years 80 With the launch of your revolutionary simple, “Rikers Island”, A topic that talks about the struggles of imprisoned people, And that became one of his emblematic songs.
His music covers from roots reggae to the dancehall, Sounds through which he brought love messages, Unit and Social Justice to a global audience.
In his four career decades he published more than 20 Studio albums, many of which became classics, as I Lost My Sonia (1985) and his own Rikers Island (1991).
Some consider their album Israel’s King of 1996 as a climax of his career, since it combines traditional reggae rhythms with modern influences.
While in later productions, as Unforgettable (2000) e In a Di Red (2012), They showed their creativity and their ability to evolve with the times.
Cocoa Tea's last performance was three years ago at the Welcome to Jamrock cruise, while in 2019, The singer participated in the historic concert Long Walk to Freedom at the Kingston National Stadium, In the return of Buju Banton Jamaica after having been held by 7 years in the United States.
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While, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sports Jamaica, Olivia Grange, He said he was very sad for the death of the singer.
“It has been a basic element of the industry for a long time. He is one of the best reggae singers who have existed and his work will resist the test of timeO. We greet him at this time and our condolences to his family. It has been a pleasure to work with him during these years and we are happy to have had the opportunity to give him some flowers while he was here with us. May your soul rest in peace”, The Secretary of State affirmed.
The group Morgan Heritage He also expressed his sadness for the departure of Cocoa Tea.
“In the four corners of the earth your voice can never be forgotten (…) From East Fest to Sumfest, From New York to London, Your place in reggae music is carved in stone. That your light never goes out, older brother. Now you rest in Zion with Los Angeles, But we will never forget the moments we have shared, amado. Our deepest condolences for your whole family. Long life to the great legendary icon Cocoa Tea!”, The band expressed on their social networks.
