March 11, 2025 12:49 PM PDT
Renowned reggae icon Cocoa Tea, born Colvin Scott, has passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that spans over four decades. The beloved Jamaican artist died on Tuesday in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, after a courageous battle with lymphoma.
Cocoa Tea’s wife, Malvia Scott, shared the details of his final days with the Jamaica Gleaner. She recounted receiving an early morning call informing her that Cocoa had been transferred from his care facility to a nearby hospital due to severe vomiting. Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, Cocoa Tea had also been battling pneumonia for the past six months.
Malvia revealed that Cocoa Tea succumbed to cardiac arrest early this morning. Despite his health struggles since December, when he was hospitalized during the Christmas season, Cocoa Tea remained a source of strength and positivity for his wife. “About three weeks ago, when he was admitted to the hospital, he asked if I was worried, and I said, ‘I am always worried,'” Malvia recalled. “He told me not to worry because everything was going to be all right.”
Cocoa Tea’s influence on reggae music is profound. He collaborated with legendary artists such as Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, and Buju Banton. In 2003, he launched the Dancehall Jam Jam, a New Year’s Eve event that continues to be a celebrated tradition in Jamaica.
Cocoa Tea’s contributions to reggae music and his enduring spirit will be remembered by fans worldwide. He was 65 years old.
