Story of Jimmy Cliff: Reggae's First King

Jimmy Cliff was the first true King of Reggae Music and is one of the greatest artistes in world music history. This video traces his rise from the village of Somerton to the world's biggest stages

[@spencerpennington07]

Jimmy Cliff was both the first reggae artist I ever knew and he was the first artist I saw in concert when I was little, thanks to my parents. I’ve seen him in concert a couple more times since then, and he’s still got the magic. I absolutely love him.

[@abcde12-tl7yc]

Thanks to Jimmy Cliff, because of him, Lucky Dube became one of the greatest African reggae singers.

[@hannahoron9740]

And the great thing is, he is still here with us! Jimmy Cliff didn't get the same media exposure and air play because he wasn't Rasta, instead he chose Islam. Jah Bless!

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

And now he admits he doesn't belongs to any religious faith in particular, "believing in science"

[@loveheals6184]

I'm reluctant to comment because I feel shy admitting I've forever had a crush on this elder who is decades older than I am 🤩🥰 Viva Jimmy Cliff

[@MsWildberry1]

@loveheals184. You got great great taste. ❤💛💚🖤

[@loveheals6184]

@@MsWildberry1 Give Thanks🤗 for the affirmation, Sister-Queen ❤💛💚🖤

[@dp13579]

Jimmy Cliff is the Master. Full stop!!!

[@michaelsmith-ws2mb]

Son of Jamaican immigrants to the Bronx here. My parents favorite reggae artist was jimmy cliff, and toots and the maytels . Bob didn’t come through till later.

[@MsWildberry1]

Jimmy is no doubt the original King of Reggae. Jimmy broke through globally musically, but The Harder They Come sold Jimmy and Reggae music to even a bigger global market. Blessed love RAS and much appreciation for another golden nugget ❤️💛💚🖤

[@eleanorreyes512]

LUV JIMMY CLIFF A JAMAICAN AND WORLD WIDE ARTIST!! A LIVING LEGEND!! 🙏 🤲 🔥

[@roshiekabrown5015]

We love jimmy Clift and Bob Marley both of the are legends,all the reggae artist that fight for their people we love them,they had an assignments to do and they executed it well.

[@ptrco5]

Much respect to one of our great kings 👑🙌🏾

[@zeusapollo8688]

His is an amazing voice

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Omitting Jimmy Cliff even from a short list of 3 all-time best Reggae artists would be CRIMINAL ...Ahh Yes that 1971 effort by Paul Simon was fantastic. Mother and Child Reunion it was called

[@tablarasa3862]

Jimmy is the first Jamaican we heard in Africa.

[@inyangeffiong2036]

Great story. Jimmy Cliff is d originator. But we never really knew those great tunes as reggae. We called them sentimental music. It was after d wailers revolution that we looked back and realized that jimmy music was actually reggae.

[@longjidalu3845]

I started listening to Jimmy Cliff in the early eighties and still love his music till date. Thanks for sharing this beautiful Raggae info ❤️❤️

[@mrsplanetmaster9]

C'mon RAS pump more history out ..we love it‼🌞🌿

[@memphasnobleajahyi.9227]

THANK YAH MR.JIMMY CLIFF FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR MUSIC AND CULTURE 👑🇯🇲🙏🏿

[@BatmanBoss]

Jimmy ❤️💛💚

[@michaelkong7381]

My father's cousin Leslie Kong first produce Jimmy Cliff at Beverly Kong's studio. Jimmy Cliff brought Bob Marley to Leslie Kong, Marley and Leslie Kong fall out over business dealings and Leslie Kong was mention in the book Catch a Fire briefly. Jimmy Cliff mention Leslie Kong when he recieved the Country Award. Jimmy Cliff is one of the most versitile artist and his songs touch the human experience on a deep emotional level.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Respect 🙌 Mr Kong

[@GoodSoundz13]

All the way from the ska days until now, I know we all hold him in high esteem, there is only one Jimmy Cliff

[@OGxCSH]

Big ups R.A.S....thanks for a video of an icon

[@christophernapoleon3480]

I've said it already I will say it again and continue to say it. Jimmy Cliff is definitely what an Original Qualified Classic Certified Loyal Commited Arranged Stunning Spectacular Splendid Lovely Remarkable Marvellous Splendid and Elegant Musical Ambassador Dignitary Icon Legend Professional Mentor and Global Superstar in his own Time and Right. As a Matter of Fact Jimmy Cliff music will definitely stand the Test of Time and live on throughout the Ages. This Fact and Statement is all about Sound Speech which cannot be Condemned. MVP. GOD is Great.

[@MrAlistar99]

Jimmy Cliff was my first Reggae buy and in fact first musical buy❤

[@teclife75]

Years ago waiting for the bus to arrive I struck up a conversation with a lady from Sierra Leone, when I mentioned that i was from Jamaica she told me a story about Jimmy Cliffs first time performing in the country. She said that not only was there great delight that such a big singer was performing in the country but also based of a rumor that had been circulating that Jimmy Cliff was actually from Seirra leone, and that he told people that he was from Jamaica for publicity reasons, she also mentioned that quite a few people believed that based off of his facial features he could be nothing other than a native son of that country. We both shared a hearty laugh at the last line. It made me extremely proud that someone from our little island could have such impact in our fore parents continent Africa.

[@inyangeffiong2036]

When we were enjoying great tunes like suffering in d land, wonderful world beautiful people, under d sun moon and star, we never knew it was reggae music we were listening to o. We were just enjoying good music and d name Jimmy Cliff was on everybody's lips. It was much much later when d wailers brought reggae to d world then we look back at Jimmy Cliff songs of old and realized that it was reggae and that Jimmy Cliff was actually d "originator and not d imitator" Jimmy is one of d great ones to come out of d land of d rising sun. We thank him for d music.

[@badumbuya8513]

Jimmy Cliff is very big in Africa. He was in the Gambia in the 1970s, historic occasion. My uncle and his friend still talked about the visit/tour

[@FireSankra7]

Truly a legend. I remember my dad has the unlimited album. Great artist.

[@christophernapoleon3480]

Plain Simple and Straightforward Jimmy Cliff is definitely what a Musical Ambassador Dignitary Icon Legend Professional Mentor and Global Superstar is made of. MVP. GOD is Great.

[@hoseamiller6189]

The untouchables original indigenous upper class top ranks musician's with upfull education and upper class wisdom 🆗🙏☝️💯🎤🎙️🎧🎩❤️🏆💕

[@wisdom-only-]

In the French Islands Jimmy Cliff was way more famous and appreciated than any other Jamaican musician! I always been wondering why his song " Many rivers to cross" is still so underrated? Jimmy will still remain a legend!

[@djtricks1]

Enough respects to Mr Jimmy Cliff.. every time i hear his name.. i can hear my mom, singing one of his tunes,(r.i.p mum🕯💚) & can never forget the brilliant "Harder They Come" film & sound track! So glad to hear hes still here..🌎🙏🏾 Big Up/Respects RAS!.

[@waltersoleru6126]

We are the generation that got initiated into young adulthood with Jimmy Cliff’s and JB’s music in the early 70s and we are grateful. May Jimmy Cliff live for a much longer time through his music he will live forever.

[@ClaridadCaliente]

Much love from Serbia, always looking forward to your amazing videos. Found new artist through you and learned a lot about the artists I already love!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Thanks for watching ✌️

[@edosauwoghiren1151]

Quitting the rastafarian movement was to become his achilles heel, as he became surrounded by certain enemies who were heĺl-bent on destroying his career. Furthermore, a brief detour from the roots culture, and becoming immersed in American soul culture, had not helped his cause. That probably explains why he remains largely underated. I happened to attend one of his concerts in 2018, at the London Round House in North London, only to witness a predominantly white audience to my astonishment. Indeed, the atmosphere was heavenly! And, I said to myself: truly, a prophet is not honoured in his hometown. This great legend Jimmy Cliff, has done a lot for the black race, but unfortunately, we do not seem to give him the recognition he truly deserves.

[@haolekoa737]

As an old punk that plays bass in a reggae band, I love that Jimmy gave respect to the Reggae/Punk alignment on Rebirth with his covers of the Clash's "Guns of Brixton" and Rancid's "Ruby Soho." It was great to hear a reggae godfather give respect back to punk.

[@DubSplash]

Great Jimmy Cliff

[@gerardcunningham8122]

Egh love dis one bredren🎉😊

[@utregsoulnorh715]

oooooohoooo Sweet Beat....Freezing up Orange Street...Iam gonna fly to JA next monday,and will walk on that famous Street a few days later..

[@jahvidiprophet]

Reason why Jimmy Cliff isn’t recognized as a king is because he’s still alive

[@Infinitebrandon]

Mon , you're newest video ALWAYS shows up as I'm eating lol. Praise Jah. You always get an immediate 👍 because I know it'll be the best. Bless ♥️ 💛 💚

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Bon appetit Rasta 😃 ❤️💛💚

[@Infinitebrandon]

Thinking of you as I eat breakfast. I'd love to hear about Johnny Nash as I just learned cliff didn't write I can see Clearly now. I couldn't believe that. Also, I'd appreciate learning more about Eddie Lovett also. Thanks again.🤙

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

@@Infinitebrandon Eddie Lovette is a go 💯

[@runningrasta]

Jimmy is still the King

[@titusbomber3270]

NO DOUBT FACTS TACTS FACTS

[@goodguycg]

I searched first king of reggae hopping it was Jimmy cliff and tomy surprise some one got it right

[@drawingdownthestars]

The harder they come the harder they fall, one and all.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

❤️💛💚

[@rayburnefitzpatrick7575]

True dis.

[@charlesmomodu9728]

I have always known Jimmy Cliff as the number1 reggae king; but don't know how come Bob MaRLEY TOOK THE SHINE OFF HIS SHOES, BECAUSE I CAN SAY, HERE IN aFRICA, bOB FROM DURING MY GROWING YEARS BECAME MORE POPULAR THAN jIMMY & pETER tOSH. i LOVE HIS 1986 ALBUM. "cLIFF'S HANGER." IT'S INDEED A COMPLETE ALBUM INCLUDING TRACKS LIKE "hOTSHOT; sUNRISE; dEAD&AWAKE; rEGGAE STREET; aRRIVAL; bROWN EYES; & nUCLEAR WAR" AMONG A FEW. A TEN-TRACK ALBUM, AND ALL THE TRACKS ON THAT ALBUM ARE COOL. aNOTHER HIT OF HIS WHICH I LOVE SO MUCH IS "oRIGINATOR; wONDERFUL WORLD, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE; mAMA LOOK AT THE MOUNTAIN; yOU CAN GET IT IF YOU REALLY WANT.; aLL I HAVE TO GIVE." etc. cLIFF HAS A VERY WONDERFUL VOICE. "hOUSE OF EXILE" WAS INDEED A GREAT HIT.

[@solyluna1778]

👍👍💖💖

[@philliplyn2692]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@evertontulloch1016]

Superb material authentic music

[@jahvidiprophet]

I want to hear a lucky dube story. Its needed

[@victorfoster3009]

A real king maker does not have to be a king. Bob marley is the king of reagea because of the good music and the brown sensimilia burning. Ambush in the night,all guns aiming at me- bob marley (late) I'm wanted,dead and alive by the evil forces - peter tosh (late) This world is not my home,I'm just passing through - jim reeves (late) I'M GONNA LIVE ! LIVE!! LIVE !!! I'M GONNA LOVE! LOVE!! LOVE!!! - JIMMY CLIFF ( ALIVE AND KICKING) JAH RASTAFARI.

[@bernardbwalya7614]

Please Bob invented Reggae one drop, jimmy did ska and then started reggae after Bob period

[@SuperheroJunior]

Peter Tosh is also one of the best too.

[@Leira6267]

I thought Jimmy Cliff was after Bob.

[@mmg0705]

He's not as appreciated like other's 🤛🏿

[@francoiscarlier2439]

I love Jimmy Cliff but calling him "Reggae's first king" is not fair to Alton Ellis, the real first king ever of Reggae

[@solomonislandlocaldisplays7369]

But bob play more melody than anyone

[@Gary-vl7lp]

Jimmy Cliff ....is the Only ) great reggae musician whose music got ,...WORST ...as his career went forward....he even had facilities like ,..,' RICKS ' MUSCLE SHORES STUDIOS .... which was a ,..' Hit making factory ' ,...I really don't know what happened to..the , " GREAT,.." JIMMY CLIFF " ,...but as far as 🎉i am concerned he jimmy Cliff is the only reggae musician that went .." BACK WARD", ... !???....Sorry.

[@bond56100]

Jimmy was not Rasta.

[@RH421939]

Could never get into Jimmy cliff . Not taking anything away from him but never got into his style

[@westyraviz]

Don’t feel too bad, not everyone is capable of recognizing and appreciating greatness.