Cocoa Tea, a Jamaican reggae icon, dies at age 65

Calvin George Scott, better known as Jamaican reggae icon Cocoa Tea, died at age 65.

Malvia Scott, the singer-songwriter’s wife, confirmed to the Jamaica Gleaner that her husband passed away on Tuesday morning in a Florida hospital after suffering a heart arrest.

Cocoa Tea, who was born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, on September 3, 1959, made her reggae debut in 1985 and rose to international fame in the 1990s.

He produced songs like “18 & Over,” “Hurry Up and Come,” “I Lost My Sonia,” “Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea,” “Israel’s King,” “Young Lover,” and “Rikers Island.” He was well-known for his silky vocals and socially sensitive lyrics. The latter became one of his most popular songs and was eventually reworked into “Me No Like Rikers Island,” a dancehall version featuring Nardo Ranks.

Generations of reggae fans have been impacted by Cocoa Tea’s vast musical legacy. His wife, Malvia, and their eight children survive him.