Cocoa Tea’s thanksgiving an event fit for royalty

From the hardcover booklet, filled with information on high-quality paper, to the shiny, sleek Corvette — branded with the name ‘Cocoa Tea’ — parked on the grounds, to the red-carpeted walkway, a big screen showing scenes from his life and the finely dressed guests, it was evident that the thanksgiving service for legendary reggae singer Cocoa Tea was an event fit for royalty.

And, listening to the various tributes, it was clear that Cocoa Tea was indeed a king, even if he sometimes was a “miserable” one.

All aspects of the life of Colvin Scott were highlighted by those who paid tribute to him on Sunday at The Verandah in Clarendon Park. Some remembered him for the wonderful songs which he sang and his ability to present the powerful messages in his music; others, for the generous person who he was, and his love for family, racehorse and knowledge of world affairs; while legendary producer Gussie Clarke focused on the period during which Cocoa Tea was bravely battling cancer.

“Cocoa Tea simply referred to me as Caesar and I didn’t mind it. It sounded very respectful and highly favoured,” Clarke said, to laughter. “When Cocoa Tea became terminally ill in a facility in a foreign country, he had a group of friends who he called his team.”

Numbered among that select group were Clarke, Hopeton Lindo, Nurse Jackie, who he called Rasta Angel, and a few others.

“Sean Paul, Chris Chin, Spragga Benz and myself kept in constant contact and visited whenever we could. Hopeton Lindo doubled up as our point person and when we couldn’t get to Cocoa, Hopeton would put him on the phone the next day. Cocoa Tea was killed many times by rumours even before he died; so many times people came to us asking about the status of his health,” Clarke said.

He noted that although he worked with and knew Cocoa Tea for more than a decade, he had more memorable moments about the man Cocoa Tea during his illness.

“I was awed by his spirit and resilience to beat the odds. On one of my visits to Cocoa Tea with Hopeton Lindo, as he saw us he started singing It Could be Worse. To me, it was profound,” Clarke said, adding that on another visit Cocoa Tea “expressed with elation his desire to return to stage”.

He even confessed to having to hold back tears when, after not hearing from Cocoa Tea for a while, the singer called him while he was in a Zoom board meeting. He immediately excused himself to take the call, and then quickly told the group that the singer was doing good.

Five pages in the programme, which was actually a book, outline in detail the Holy Mount Zion singer’s tumultuous and courageous journey from he was first diagnosed with large diffused B-cell lymphoma in 2019 to his death in 2025. Titled ‘Health Journey’, it tells of his refusal to believe the diagnosis, the second opinions, and his firm decision not to take chemotherapy, despite the doctors telling him in 2019 that without it he only had six months to live.

“ His family and friends who knew about his diagnosis begged and pleaded with him, but if you knew Colvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ Scott, then you knew that he was incredibly proud and strong-willed, and no-one could get him to do anything that he didn’t want to do,” the piece states, adding that they were told to keep it a secret.

The Rastaman chose to do alternative, natural medication, and the ‘Health Journey’ article notes that Cocoa Tea also believed that the doctors were only after insurance money. As his health deteriorated, Coca Tea endured MRSA, pneumonia, kidney and gastrointestinal issues, but still he held firm to his original decision.

“ While his choices may not have aligned with medical recommendations or his family’s wishes, he stayed true to what he believed. He did it his way.”

One of the musical pieces played in tribute by Cocoa Tea’s original band was the poignant Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Bongo Herman drummed into the hearts of the people and role-played himself calling Cocoa Tea on stage; Richie Stephens sang a verse of Fight Back, and DiMario McDowell did Jah is My Keeper, a song which had Cocoa Tea’s widow Malvia visibly shaken.

Among others present from the music industry were, Mikie Bennett, Josey Wales, Shabba Ranks, Charlie Chaplin, Little John, Wayne Wonder, D’Medz, Bugle, Ricky, Nesbeth, Jerome Hamilton, Carlette DeLeon, Kareem ‘Remus’ Burrell, June Isaacs, Yvonne Chang, Denise ‘Issis’ Miller, Colleen Douglas and Ewan Simpson.

Cocoa Tea passed away on March 11 at a hospital in Florida. He is survived by his widow Malvia, eight children and grandchildren.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com