‘I haffi deh yah’ - Shabba Ranks, music fraternity bid Cocoa Tea farewell

The entertainment fraternity represented well at the well-organised thanksgiving service for legendary reggae singer Colvin 'Cocoa Tea' Scott on Sunday at the Verandah in Clarendon Park in the parish.

Among those present were Gussie Clark, Mikie Bennett, Josey Wales, Shabba Ranks, Charlie Chaplin, Little John, Wayne Wonder, Richie Stephens, D'Medz, Bugle, Ricky, Bongo Herman, Nesbeth, Jerome Hamilton, Carlette DeLeon, Kareem 'Remus' Burrell, June Isaacs, Denise 'Issis' Miller, Yvonne Chang, Colleen Douglas and Ewan Simpson.

'Dancehall Emperor' Shabba Ranks spoke for all when he stated why it was important for him to be marked present.

"With all due respect and from the heart, I haffi deh ya," said Shabba Ranks, whose presence caused a stir when he got up from his seat and persons on the outskirts realised that it was really him. He was accompanied by his wife, Michelle. In a brief interview with THE STAR, the Grammy Award-winning dancehall star spoke of his deep respect for Cocoa Tea.

"Just to say one thing ... and not many things, because every time man open up dem mouth people tek it out of context. But as far as Cocoa Tea is concerned, from 1988 when no one knew me ... I would say that only my community knew me as an artiste ... Cocoa Tea gave me a chance on one of his records where him and Home T were in studio and Bobby Digital made a request that I should join them. It was my first number one song in the world," Shabba Ranks told THE STAR.

The song was titled Who She Love and Mikie Bennett, a former member of Home T, shared that it was the first number one song for all three - Cocoa Tea, Home T and Shabba Ranks.

Giving an insight into his friendship with Cocoa Tea, Shabba Ranks said, "When anyone ask Cocoa Tea 'bout deejay business, him mek di world know seh 'No bwoy nuh ride riddim like Mama Christie bwoy.'"

"Yeah. It up deh pon record. Me nuh go places ... mi nuh associate with people, enuh ... but yuh see da man yah ... da man yah, Colvin Scott, most of oonu seh Cocoa Tea, me seh 'Oil a Bash.' Cause when we buck each other, mi nuh seh Mr Scott and him nuh seh Mr Gordon, the first thing outta him mouth is 'Oil a bash,' and if you what that simply means inna life yuh will know. So mi haffi tek time out of everything that me a do and deh yah fi represent by all mean necessary," he added.

Veteran deejay Josey Wales said that the love and respect that he has for Cocoa Tea "is more than words can express".

"I was playing King Stur Gav at a place called Portland Cottage ... him neva have a hit yet. Junjo [Lawes] wanted him because Volcano Sound was there also and we brought him to Myrie Lane with Little John, Toya and Lee Van Cleef ... him fit right in. A my soldier. I don't call him nothing but Colvin Scott. When you listen to all those Stereo Gav tapes and listen how I introduce him on the versions. Cocoa Tea respect right ... Mr Colvin Scott, love ... Rastafari," Josey Wales told THE STAR.

Family members, and persons from the music industry and political realm brought greetings at the service. Bishop Delroy Grant gave the sermon.

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