Reggae icon cocoa tea death at 65

Cocoa Tea, the productive reggae singer, has died. He was 65.

Musician’s wife Malvia Scott confirmed her death in Broward, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Tuesday, March 11 to News Outlet Jamaican glider.

“I got a call early tomorrow to say that he had been transferred from the facility to the hospital … which is like five minutes away … because he vomited. He was originally diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2019, but in the last six months he also struggled with Pneumonia,” she told the outlet.

Despite the singer’s diagnosis years ago, Malvia said he remained positive and called him “brave” and “hopeful.” “About three weeks ago when he was admitted to the hospital, he asked if I was worried and I said” I’m always worried. “

“He told me not to worry about everything being okay,” she added.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness as well praised the singer on x.

“I expand condolences to the family, friends and supporters of Calvin George Scott, lovingly known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth song and convincing texts gave us timeless classics like Rocking Dolly and I lost my Sonia, songs that have become hymns in our cultural landscape,” wrote Holness.

“In addition to its musical genius, cocoa -tea was a lighthouse of kindness and generosity, which consistently raises the less happy and embodied the heat in our nation,” he added. “Cocoa Tea’s influence extended beyond our beaches, touching hearts all over the world, solidifying Jamaica’s place on the global musical stage.”

“When we mourn his passing, let’s celebrate the rich inheritance he leaves behind, a legacy of melody, compassion and cultural pride,” the prime minister ended. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Born Calvin Scott in 1959 in Rocky Point, Clangeon, Cocoa Tea was productive and released dozens of songs throughout his lifetime. He released his first song in 1985 with the title “Seeking in the hill,” When he was just a teenager.

Per The IndependentHe broke out in Jamaica’s music scene in the mid-1980s before becoming known around the world in the 90s.

Some of his most well -known songs include “I Lost My Sonia”, “Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea”, “King of Israel” and “Young Lover.” Perhaps his most famous song is the 1990 melody “Riker’s Island”, which would get a remix entitled “Me No Like Rikers Island”, with Nardo rankings.

He released the song “Barack Obama” 2008 in support of the then presidential candidate. Cocoa Tea released her last album Sunset in Negril 2014.

Cocoa is survived by his wife Malvia and eight children, per The Independent.