Swiss reggae musician Cookie The Herbalist has achieved a significant career milestone by receiving an official Billboard plaque for his 2017 collaborative track ‘EAZE’ with the late Jamaican music pioneer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. The recognition comes as part of the Billboard-charting compilation ‘Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica,’ which dominated the Reggae Albums chart for four consecutive weeks in 2018 and maintained a Top Ten position for an impressive 18 weeks.
In an exclusive interview, Cookie The Herbalist described working with the legendary producer as ‘a wow kind of moment,’ expressing deep honor given Perry’s monumental legacy in music. The artist revealed the track’s enduring message remains urgently relevant: encouraging global audiences to ‘ease off from war, fighting and all kinds of stress’ while advocating for a return to core moral values to create a better world.
The European reggae star reflected profoundly on his mentorship under Perry, noting: ‘During all the years I had the honor of working with Lee Perry and travelling the world with him, I learned so much about music, art and, of course, life and spirituality.’ He characterized the iconic producer as a continuing source of inspiration whose impact extended far beyond musical collaboration into personal friendship and spiritual guidance.
Cookie The Herbalist stands among Europe’s most accomplished reggae and dancehall artists, with a career spanning over two decades. His musical foundation began in Italy through church choir performances before evolving through Switzerland’s local music scene. Since his 2008 debut single ‘Don’t You Tell Me’ received substantial radio play, he has released multiple acclaimed projects including the albums ‘Like A Tree’ (2010) and ‘Stand Tall’ (2012), featuring collaborations with reggae luminaries including Sizzla, Luciano, and Prezident Brown.
The ‘Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica’ compilation represents a significant cross-cultural achievement, featuring an eclectic roster of international stars including Ed Sheeran, Sean Paul, Damian Marley, Wyclef Jean, and Chronixx alongside traditional reggae icons.