The transformative impact of Allan ‘Skill’ Cole on Jamaica’s music landscape was celebrated during a heartfelt thanksgiving service at the National Arena on October 11. Kay Osbourne, a close friend of Cole for over six decades and former general manager at Television Jamaica, highlighted his pivotal role in breaking barriers for reggae and Rastafari music on Jamaican radio in the 1970s. At a time when such genres were shunned by mainstream media, Cole’s relentless efforts ensured that the music of The Wailers, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, found its way onto airwaves, particularly through the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. This marked a significant shift in the cultural and musical identity of Jamaica. Cole, a prodigy who represented Jamaica in football at just 15, was deeply intertwined with the music scene. His defiance of societal norms and his advocacy for Rastafari messages through music were instrumental in the roots-reggae explosion of the era. The service featured tributes from prominent artists such as Beenie Man, Junior Reid, and Stephen Marley, underscoring Cole’s enduring legacy. Cole, who managed Bob Marley during his final U.S. tour in 1980, epitomized the social awakening of Jamaica in the 1960s and 1970s. His contributions to music and culture were honored by industry figures, including Marcia Griffiths, Olivia Grange, and Mark Golding, who gathered to pay their respects.