Chronixx, Warrior King represent at funeral for Stranger Cole

Among a host of foundation artistes, Chronixx and Warrior King were two of the younger acts to be marked present and pay their respects at the thanksgiving service for ska, rocksteady and reggae pioneer Wilburn ‘Stranger’ Cole on Wednesday at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, St Andrew.
When Stranger’s son – multi-award-winning drummer Squidly Cole –  announced that Chronixx was the next performer, some people clapped, and others took out their phones to capture the moment. 
“Everybody know seh Chronixx don’t go nowhere and for him to show up like this is a good look … a very good look. I like it when the younger generation understand the importance of showing love to the elders when they depart this life,” said Samory-I’s manager, Bridgett Anderson.
Quizzed about Samory-I’s absence, she explained that he had left the island on Tuesday night for shows in the US.
A smiling Chronixx had clearly committed to being at Stranger Cole’s thanksgiving service, as his name was on the programme as one of the performers. In paying tribute to Stranger Cole, Chronixx acknowledged “the tradition and lineage of this great music that we are blessed with as a people”.
He performed Tell Me Now, from his 2017 album, Chronology, which has the powerful lyrics, “Life too short we haffi cherish it/The race haffi run, we haffi finish it/But before me leave off of this pilgrimage/Me haffi tell you say me love you.” At Squidly’s request, he willingly did a second, the insightful They Don’t Know.
Warrior King, who stayed around and did a meet-and-greet after his performance, told THE WEEKEND STAR that it was extremely important for him to pay his respects to “a true legend like Stranger Cole”.
“The thanksgiving service of Stranger Cole was an honourable occasion. Stranger Cole is one of the artistes that has paved the way for the genre that I’m a part of today. In fact, the song that I sang, Bangarang, was one of the first reggae songs that was ever released and I was chosen by his son Squidly Cole to sing that song,” Warrior King said.
He continued, “So let us always remember to celebrate those who have paved the way for us and never forget where we are coming from.”
Also paying tribute was Stephen Marley, who is currently overseas on tour. Squidly Cole is the drummer for his band, and they had been in rehearsals when Stranger Cole took seriously ill, and his son had to put everything on pause to care for him.
In a video tribute, Marley called Stranger “Daddy”.
“Daddy, your legacy and teachings will always live on with I and I. We love you, Daddy,” said Stephen Marley
The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and Perry’s Funeral Home made the arrangements for the send-off. Minister Olivia Grange shared during her tribute that there will be “an announcement in another few days when the Government recognises Stranger Cole’s contributions to Jamaican music”. 
Stranger Cole, who was 85, died on June 11 at the University Hospital of the West Indies.