Musician Jimmy Cliff is famous for introducing reggae to an international audience, largely through his performance in the landmark film The Harder They Come (1972).
The Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul musician and actor commenced writing songs while still at primary school in St. James, listening to a neighbour’s sound system.
Jimmy Cliff shot to fame with his hit track “Hurricane Hattie” at age 14.
He has since released over 30 songs including Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Love Solution, Limbo, Wild World, Reggae Night, Hakuna Matata, I Can See Clearly Now, Rebel In Me, Guns of Brixton, et al.
On October 20, 2003, Jimmy Cliff received The Order of Merit, one of Jamaican’s highest awards for his contribution to the arts.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2010.
In December 2012, Cliff was named ‘Artist of the Year’ by the digital newspaper the Caribbean Journal, citing his work on Rebirth.