The reggae world is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished voices — Cocoa Tea, who passed away last week on March10 aged 65.
Known for his smooth voice, uplifting messages, and undeniable contribution to reggae music, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity. His music touched millions, delivering messages of love, social justice, and spiritual wisdom. Even with his passing, his legacy lives on through his timeless catalogue, which continues to inspire and soothe listeners worldwide.
The death of Jamaican singer, Cocoa Tea aka Calvin George Scott (born on September 3, 1959) has robbed the music world of a sincere, dedicated, serious, real and one of the most cherished voices in reggae circles.
I first met Cocoa Tea in London in 1983. I had gone to visit King Sounds at his residence in Earl’s Court. In his house, there were three dreadlocked gentlemen I did not immediately recognise. Sounds did not give me a formal introduction to these guys, but asked me to guess who they were. I failed his test until he sang the songs they had made hits with. He started with:
“I will give her everything, I ownGive up my life, my heart, my ownAnd I would give anything I ownJust to have you back again
You sheltered me from harm’’
Straight away, I knew that on my immediate left was Ken Booth who was topping the charts with Bread’s Everything I Own. In the middle was Beres Hammond, whom I had also heard of through his hits Wanderer and I’m In Love. Beres had come to do a collaboration song with King Sounds on the album There Is A Reward. On my right was Cocoa Tea whom I had not heard of then. I was pleased to meet these artistes. We spoke briefly about them coming to Zimbabwe to perform. They all liked the idea since Bob Marley had graced the country with a performance at independence, then Misty In Roots in 1981 and Aswad and King Sounds in 1982.
I got to know more about Cocoa Tea when he released Come Again in 1987.
Cocoa Tea was one of Reggae’s most talented and versatile artistes. His smooth, easy-going vocal presentation became his trademark.
In 2011 Cocoa Tea came to give a performance in Zimbabwe at the Lion Lager Summer Beer Festival with assistance from Nhamo Chitimbe. We were also expecting Beres Hammond at this concert as he had been advertised but he was conspicuous by his absence. I went to Monomutapa Hotel where Cocoa Tea and Fantan Mojah were booked with the intention of interviewing Beres Hammond. He had not come and I ended up asking Cocoa Tea why he had not come. All he said to me was. “ No worries. We are going to give you a great show that will make you forget about Beres”. They did. I reminded Cocoa Tea how we had met briefly in 1983. He remembered. No one gave me any explanation why Beres Hammond had not come
The Glamis Arena, (without Beres Hammond), had Cocoa T and Fantan Mojah, all from Jamaica, belting out their hits at a star-studded concert which was supported by Winky D and other local artistes.
This is the first time I saw radio DJ Terence Mapurisana skanking like a possessed man. He really enjoyed Cocoa Tea’s music as he belted out Come Again, Rikers Island, Hurry Up and Come, She Loves Me Now, Informer, Holy Mount Zion, Chalice Nuh Fi Rump and Young Lover, which were all familiar songs in Zimbabwe.
His electrifying show in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he performed at the 2011 Lion Lager Summer Beer Fest at Glamis Stadium was most memorable. Reggae lovers who attended the show were satisfied and they still talk about it 14 years later. Cocoa Tea was embraced by reggae lovers with overwhelming enthusiasm.
His performance in the country was a testament to reggae’s universal appeal, as he connected with Zimbabwean audiences through his powerful lyrics and infectious stage presence.
The concert, which drew thousands of reggae lovers, showcased Cocoa Tea’s ability to transcend borders and unite people through music.
Born in the fishing village of Rocky Point, Clarendon Village in Jamaica, Cocoa Tea was one of the most popular singers in Jamaica from the 1980s onwards, achieving significant worldwide success in the reggae world.
He made his first venture into the music industry at 14 years of age in 1974, when he released Searching In The Hills for Willie Francis’ Little Willie label. When the song failed to become a hit, young Calvin gave up on the music industry for a while, and spent time working as both a disc jockey and a fisherman over the next few years. Unable to stay away for too long he gained experience singing live on various sound systems before eventually finding his way to Henry Lawes’ Volcano label in 1984, where he scored big hits with first Rocking Dolly and later, I Lost My Sonia, under the name Cocoa Tea.
Cocoa Tea was known not just for his love songs, but also for his political and socially conscious music. His song Barack Obama is a testament to this, as he celebrated the historic election of the first black US President. The song is filled with hope and pride, capturing the emotions of that monumental moment in history. This song made him famous in the US especially among black people.
The track Barack Obama is an example of how reggae music can serve as a voice of the people. In this song, Cocoa Tea delivers lyrics that highlight the significance of Obama’s presidency, not just for Americans, but for black people worldwide. The uplifting melody, combined with his signature vocal clarity, makes it an inspiring listen. This song also made Cocoa Tea famous in Zimbabwe around 2009 and 2010 as it was played non-stop over the radio.
In addition to his musical legacy, Cocoa Tea was known for his unwavering optimism and strength. Even after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, he remained hopeful and continued to inspire with his courage. His wife recalled his words of reassurance, even in his final days, as he told her not to worry because everything would be alright.
Jamaican Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, described him as “one of the greatest reggae singers who has ever lived,” noting that his work would stand the test of time. He was honoured during his lifetime for his contributions to reggae, and his impact will live on for generations to come.
Beyond music, Cocoa Tea was a dedicated family man. He is survived by his wife, Malvia, and eight children, who will continue to cherish his memory and legacy. Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity filled with a lot of conscious lyrics.
All reggae lovers around the world will greatly miss many great ideas Cocoa Tea brought to the world. May his dear soul rest in power.
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