Behind The Screen series featuring Cocoa Tea, held at Tracks and Records, Market Place, Constant Spring Road on Tuesday night, June 25. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Reggae artiste Cocoa Tea delivered a strong set of classics at last Tuesday's episode of the Behind The Screen series hosted by Solid Agency.
The show started at delayed 11:30 p.m. with an opening performance by up-and-coming reggae artiste Jah Bouks.
He sang originals like Black Woman but got his biggest response from the audience came when he sang Angola. For this song he received an encore.
The man of the night, Cocoa Tea entered the the stage at 11:39 p.m. and he started his set by chanting down Babylon with Rasta Man Chant performed by Bob Marley.
"A long time dem wah Cocoa Tea in di place. Mi a guh show yu how mi shell dung di ting tonight," he said.
He then went on to sing Buss Out A Hell and Rocking Dolly, for which he received encores.
His hit single Love Me, which features Shabba Ranks, had patrons echoing verbal shots in the air. He rightfully capitalised on the momentum built by the song, by drawing for Super Beagles' Dust A Sound Boy, which also received a good response.
Known to be an avid freestyler, Cocoa Tea showed his lyrical skills by making a song on the spot comparing his lyrical skills to the talent of Usain Bolt.
"Usain Bolt cudda run record but a mi a guh set record in yah tonight," he sang.
timeless love songs
The patrons loved the skilful display and rewarded him with applauds.
The iconic Reggae sinjay then went into love mode and delivered some timeless love songs taking aim at the females. Songs like Nothing's Gonna Change, originally performed by Glen Meridos, saw ladies rocking with their partners while others sang along with the artiste.
Cocoa Tea then sought to raise the already high bar even higher, and again he dipped into his long catalogue and came up with his hit record, She Loves Me Now. For this song he received yet another encore.
"Unno think mi dun, unno betta warm up because some a unno man a guh lose unno woman tonight," he warned to the laughter of the patrons.
Other songs that had patrons echoing sentiments of approval were Good Life and One Drop by Bob Marley.
Artistes who turned out to share in the Cocoa Tea experience are Turbulence, Shaggy and Assassin.
The Gleaner left at minutes to 1 a.m., while many patrons were still tuned in to Cocoa Tea's set as he sang Tune In.