KINGSTON, Jamaica — Veteran reggae artiste Calvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ Scott is dead.

He reportedly passed away early Tuesday morning at a hospital in Florida after ailing for sometime. He was 65.

Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Cocoa Tea’s influence extended beyond our shores, touching hearts worldwide and solidifying Jamaica’s place on the global musical stage.

“I extend condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Calvin George Scott, affectionately known as Cocoa Tea. His smooth vocals and compelling lyrics gave us timeless classics like Rocking Dolly and I Lost My Sonia, songs that have become anthems in our cultural landscape,” Holness shared in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

“Beyond his musical genius, Cocoa Tea was a beacon of kindness and generosity, consistently uplifting the less fortunate and embodying the warmth of our nation…As we mourn his passing, let us celebrate the rich legacy he leaves behind, a legacy of melody, compassion, and cultural pride. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he continued.