Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2025. 11:30 am CST.
By Horace Palacio: Reggae lovers across the Caribbean and beyond are in mourning today as news spreads of the passing of Cocoa Tea, the Jamaican singer whose voice became a staple in reggae music. He was 64 years old and passed away in a Florida hospital early this morning, according to his daughter Rashaine Scott.
For decades, Cocoa Tea’s melodic voice and socially conscious lyrics made him a favorite in Belize and across the region. He was known for his ability to blend love songs with hard-hitting social messages, creating music that both entertained and educated. Some of his most well-loved hits include “She Loves Me Now,” “Israel’s King,” “Holy Mount Zion,” and “Good Life.” His influence stretched far beyond Jamaica, with fans from Belize to the United States and beyond.
Beyond his success in the studio, Cocoa Tea was a man of vision, launching his own record label, Roaring Lion Records, in 2000. He also promoted major reggae events, including Dancehall Jam Jam, which ran from 2003 to 2009. He remained committed to preserving reggae’s cultural roots, even as the music industry evolved.
His daughter Rashaine described him as a man of deep faith and strong convictions, sharing how he would read the Bible to his children and teach them to value education and independence.
Cocoa Tea had been battling health issues for some time, and while his exact cause of death has not been confirmed, it is believed he suffered a cardiac arrest.
For many Belizeans, Cocoa Tea’s music was a soundtrack to their lives, playing on the radio, at celebrations, and in quiet moments of reflection. His passing is a huge loss to the reggae community, but his voice will live on in the music that touched so many hearts.
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The post Jamaican reggae star Cocoa Tea dies, leaving fans across the region in mourning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Reggae lovers across the Caribbean and beyond are in mourning today as news spreads of the passing of Cocoa Tea, the Jamaican singer whose voice became a staple in reggae music. He was 64 years old and passed away in a Florida hospital early this morning, according to his daughter Rashaine Scott.
The post Jamaican reggae star Cocoa Tea dies, leaving fans across the region in mourning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
