When I started doing this series, I never expected to be doing this one. As I’ve said in the past, Signatures was created to sort of make my own personal ‘greatest hits’ style collectives of artists who didn’t have such compilations already to their credit and, presumably, were not going to have one anytime soon. That most certainly does NOT apply to the great Cocoa Tea who has, at least, one in the form of an installment of VP’s Reggae Legends (which, literally, brings together more than FIFTY of his most well known selections, spread across four discs). So, you really didn’t need me to tell you about his most popular songs, you already know them, save for one or two twists I may take you on. Unfortunately, however, earlier in 2025 we lost Cocoa Tea in the physical as he made his transition and respects are in order.
The well revered Clarendon native born Calvin Scott made a brand of Roots Reggae & Dancehall which can best be described as SWEET! Gifted with a style, a vibe, a voice and a presentation which were made for the genre, Cocoa Tea’s music left an impression on fans around the world and his contributions to this wonderful sound is not to be overlooked or forgotten. Today we celebrate the SWEETEST of them all. Signatures: Cocoa Tea.
(Photo: Beth lesser aka Beth Kingston)