Latest news with #JamaicaGleaner
Los Angeles Times
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Jamaican reggae star Cocoa Tea dead at 65
Reggae singer and Jamaican national icon Cocoa Tea has died. He was 65. The singer, born Calvin George Scott, died Tuesday of cardiac arrest in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Malvia Scott, the singer's wife, confirmed the death to the newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner. She told the paper that he was diagnosed with lymphoma and pneumonia in recent years. 'He was definitely very brave,' Malvia Scott told the Gleaner. '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.' The singer, born in the small village of Rocky Point, Jamaica, was known for his romantic, honey-sweet voice that shaped and shifted with generations of dancehall and lovers rock. Singles 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia' were defining genre hits in the '80s, and his debut LP 'Weh Dem a Go Do…Can't Stop Cocoa Tea' made him a superstar within Jamaican music and globally among reggae fans. Follow-ups like 'The Marshall' and 'Come Again' incorporated more spiritual Rastafarian lyrical themes, and he joined a supergroup with Shabba Ranks and Home T that scored a big hit with 'Holding On.' Cocoa Tea remained politically resonant and adaptable as dancehall turned grittier into the '90s. After moving to New York, he released the searing social-critique single 'Riker's Island' in 1991, and anti-war tracks 'No Blood for Oil' and 'Oil Ting' that opposed the first Gulf War, leading to radio bans in Jamaica and the U.K. He kept up his string of genre hits throughout the decade with releases on top reggae labels Greensleeves and VP, with Motown issuing a compilation 'Holy Mt. Zion' in 1997. He founded his own label, Roaring Lion, which released records by top acts such as Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks and Sizzla, and paid tribute to America's first Black president with a 2008 single 'Barack Obama.' He performed at Buju Banton's Long Walk to Freedom concert in Kingston in 2019, and last performed three years ago on the Welcome to Jamrock cruise. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote on Instagram that 'I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I've Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape.' 'Beyond his musical genius,' Holness continued, 'Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation. Cocoa Tea's influence extended beyond our shores, touching hearts worldwide and solidifying Jamaica's place on the global musical stage.' Cocoa Tea is survived by wife Malvia and eight children.
USA Today
11-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Jamaican artist Cocoa Tea dies: Reggae singer was 65
Jamaican artist Cocoa Tea dies: Reggae singer was 65 Show Caption Hide Caption What you need to know about the rise of walking pneumonia cases The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued an alert over the surge in cases of walking pneumonia in children younger than 5 years old. News 12 Cocoa Tea, a celebrated reggae singer and songwriter, has died. He was 65. "I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea," Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote in a post on Instagram Tuesday. "His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape," Holness wrote. His wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed to the Jamaica Gleaner, the country's paper of record, that the singer had died following a cardiac arrest early Tuesday morning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Born in the Rocky Point neighborhood of Clarendon, Jamaica, Scott rose to popularity on the island first before his fame began growing internationally in the '90s. Known for songs like "Lost My Sonia" and "Rocking Dolly," his signature sounds blended breezy slow-grooving vocals with socially conscious lyricism. 50 years later, 'The Harder They Come' remains a touchstone moment for Jamaica and reggae He was first diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, which worsened when he began battling pneumonia six months ago, his wife told the Gleaner. "He was definitely very brave," Malvia Scott told the outlet. "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." That positive outlook could be seen throughout his discography as he leaned heavily on themes of love and peace − both also important tenets to Rastafarianism, a religion he joined in 1985. "Beyond his musical genius, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation," Holness said in his statement. "Cocoa Tea's influence extended beyond our shores, touching hearts worldwide and solidifying Jamaica's place on the global musical stage."
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reggae star, Cocoa Tea, dies aged 65
Jamaican singer-songwriter Colvin Scott, better known by his stage name Cocoa Tea, has died at the age of 65. The reggae singer died Tuesday morning at a Florida hospital following a cardiac arrest, his wife, Malvia Scott, told the Jamaica Gleaner. 'I got a call early this morning to say that he had been transferred from the facility to the is like five minutes he was vomiting,' Malvia said. 'He was initially diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, but for the last six months he was also struggling with pneumonia.' 'He was definitely very brave,' she added. '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.' I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural… — Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) March 11, 2025 Born on September 3, 1959, in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, Scott broke out into the country's reggae scene in 1985 before becoming successful worldwide in the Nineties. Some of his top hits include 'I Lost My Sonia,' 'Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea,' 'Israel's King,' 'Young Lover,' and 'Rikers Island.' The latter went on to become his most popular song. He later turned it into a dancehall version with fellow reggae artist Nardo Ranks, titled 'Me No Like Rikers Island.' It was released on Columbia/SME Records' 1991 dance compilation album, Dancehall Reggaespañol. He gained further notoriety in 2008 with the release of his song 'Barack Obama,' which he wrote in support of the former president. Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has paid tribute to Scott, writing on X: 'I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape. 'Beyond his musical genius, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation,' he added. Scott is survived by his wife, Malvia, and eight children.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Reggae star, Cocoa Tea, dies aged 65
Jamaican singer-songwriter Colvin Scott, better known by his stage name Cocoa Tea, has died at the age of 65. The reggae singer died Tuesday morning at a Florida hospital following a cardiac arrest, his wife, Malvia Scott, told the Jamaica Gleaner. 'I got a call early this morning to say that he had been transferred from the facility to the is like five minutes he was vomiting,' Malvia said. 'He was initially diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, but for the last six months he was also struggling with pneumonia.' 'He was definitely very brave,' she added. '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.' Born on September 3, 1959, in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, Scott broke out into the country's reggae scene in 1985 before becoming successful worldwide in the Nineties. Some of his top hits include 'I Lost My Sonia,' 'Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea,' 'Israel's King,' 'Young Lover,' and 'Rikers Island.' The latter went on to become his most popular song. He later turned it into a dancehall version with fellow reggae artist Nardo Ranks, titled 'Me No Like Rikers Island.' It was released on Columbia/SME Records' 1991 dance compilation album, Dancehall Reggaespañol. He gained further notoriety in 2008 with the release of his song 'Barack Obama,' which he wrote in support of the former president. Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has paid tribute to Scott, writing on X: 'I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like 'Rocking Dolly' and 'I Lost My Sonia,' songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape. 'Beyond his musical genius, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation,' he added. Scott is survived by his wife, Malvia, and eight children.
