“I was born with a gift and when you have a gift you have to use it,” Cocoa Tea recently; and he has certainly put his talents on the drawing board to boost the visibility and heighten the possibilities of Barack Obama becoming the United States’ 44th President.

Following Obama’s win at the Democratic Convention that saw him take that giant step towards the White House top seat, Cocoa Tea became inspired to chant the praises of this great man who is spoken of as being the most powerful voice out of Africa in this era, after Mandela. Born of Kenyan as well as ‘Cherokee, English and Irish’ lineage, Obama has emerged as what has been termed the American dream by many, including musicians like Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, T.I. and of course Cocoa Tea.

In Florida today to not only experience first hand the historical US elections, but also to launch his latest CD, “Yes We Can” that features the song, “Barack Obama,” Cocoa Tea said, “We wanted to be in line with history…the album is historical and our release party in Miami will also be on November 4th.”

Musicians have for years been a strong influence on their audiences and at this time many reflect on the driving force that reggae became more than a decade ago when its one drop up beat rhythms rang out across the world in support of freedom for the great and longsuffering Nelson Mandela and for change to apartheid laws.

Today the custom of singing out for justice continues and Cocoa Tea said he wrote the song in honor of Barack Obama because of the message Obama is bringing to the ‘fold’ right now. Among other things he is for peace and equality. “He talks about spreading the wealth around…we have to spread wealth and give to the less fortunate. He talks of stopping the war and that’s some of the reasons why I am supporting him,” Cocoa Tea expounded.

Of course Obama’s campaign strategists were eager to find out how folk from the Caribbean were responding to the President hopeful and Cocoa Tea said that they have been thankful for the support. He received accolades for having penned the song about Obama from people of the democratic camp, like Una Clarke.

This is Cocoa Tea’s 24th album, “I think this is one of the best.” Besides the focus on Obama, the album has collaborations with Marcia Griffiths, Sizzla, President Brown and the scarce but still ranking, Shabba Ranks, with whom Cocoa Tea has done many combination hit tunes in the past.

Born ‘on the beach’ in Rocky Point, Clarendon, Cocoa Tea says he honed his skills as a young man; by singing in church and school concerts, singing incessantly on the road as he walked and working various sound systems at nightly dances in the 1970s.

His latest album is proof that he is a musical force to be reckoned with and Cocoa Tea calls it, “The type of album that when you put it on, you will want to play it all day long, because it is not boring, but full of life.” Giving a further sneak peek into the album’s content, Cocoa Tea said, “There is a song called “I Swear” that will have every man running out to get a copy of this album for their ladies.”

Following today’s Miami release party, “Yes We Can” will be released in New York as well as in Kingston at The Pegasus Hotel. The album is on Cocoa Tea’s Roaring Lion label and is available online and in stores today at I-Tunes and www.cocoateabarackobama.com.