The late Jamaican Reggae singer Cocoa Tea.
Photo by Winston Rodney
The reggae fraternity in Jamaica on March 11 joined hundreds of family members, friends, and other music lovers in paying their last respects to reggae legend Cocoa Tea at The Verandah, Clarendon Park, Clarendon, Jamaica, according to Jamaican-born entertainment publicist Anthony “ER Guru” Turner.
The New York-based Turner told Caribbean Life on Monday that Cocoa Tea died on Mar. 11 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. “following a cardiac arrest.”
Turner said that among members of the reggae fraternity who paid their last respects were Shabba Ranks, Josey Wales, Richie Stephens, Nesbeth, Little John, Charlie Chaplin, Wayne Wonder, and Bugle.
According to Turner, Singer Richie Stephens, who shared a decades-long friendship with Cocoa Tea, spoke passionately about this at the funeral.
“Cocoa Tea and I go way back — years and years,” Turner quoted Stephens as saying, “We really got close when we realized we shared the same principles.
“You might know a lot about Cocoa Tea’s music, but you might not know that Cocoa Tea was a very serious family man,” Stephens added. “I remember our many conversations — he didn’t speak long before mentioning Pookie (his son), Yakisha (his daughter), and Reds, his devoted wife.
“And he spoke of them with such conviction,” Stephens continued. “That’s when you know someone truly loves their family.”
Turner said Stephens used the opportunity to “call out those who spoke ill of the singer’s wife/family and addressed the negativity that has surfaced since the artist’s passing.”
“A lot of people spoke before, but I didn’t hear one of the main things that I’d like to address before I leave the stage,” said Stephens, according to Turner.
“There’s been a trend lately — when an artist falls ill or dies, some people put out terrible, false information,” he added. “We have to rise above that. We must recognize the malice and weakness that the internet can bring and resist it.”
Turner said, “Cocoa Tea lived his life as a devoted Rastafarian, and his music deeply reflected his faith.
“He will be remembered for hard-hitting cultural tracks like ‘Settle Down,’ ‘Don’t Be Shy,’ ‘Too Much Fussing and Fighting,’ and ‘I’ve Gotta Love You‘,” Turner said.
“As a consistent hitmaker, he also delivered beloved songs like ‘Tune In,’ ‘Crying Time,’ ‘Must Unite,’ and ‘Come Again‘,” he added, stating that the latter featured on Cocoa Tea’s “Settle Down“ album, produced by King Jammy.
Turner said Colvin “Cocoa Tea“ Scott is survived by his widow Malvia, eight children, and several grandchildren.