The March 16 edition of Strictly Roots will pay tribute to Cocoa Tea — the beloved Jamaican singer who helped shape and define dancehall and lovers rock — who passed away March 11 at the age of 65.
The program airs 6-8 p.m. Click here to listen live.
During the 80s, armed with a silky-smooth voice and thought-provoking lyrics, Cocoa Tea, born Calvin George Scott, catapulted to superstar status in Jamaica and around the world among reggae enthusiasts.
By the following decade, his politically incorrect lyrics opposing the first Gulf War led to radio bans in the United Kingdom and Jamaica due to his pro-peace tracks: “No Blood for Oil” and “Oil Ting.”
Throughout his lifetime, he played at almost every Reggae Sunsplash festival and released countless albums on labels that included: Volcano, Jammy’s, Ras, Shanachie, Greensleeves and VP Records as well as his own, Roaring Lion Records.