Jimmy Cliff

Jimmy Cliff helped turn the world on to the good vibes of reggae, thanks to his starring role and music for the film The Harder They Come — one of the biggest-selling reggae albums of all time — and his stellar, four-decade career, characterized by sublime songs like "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want." To many outside the reggae world, Jimmy Cliff is best-known for his poignant hit, "Many Rivers to Cross."

Cliff's canon is remarkably deep and full of the same hipness, rebellion, and great songwriting. While he remained in Bob Marley's shadow, he continued to produce powerful, skanky rhythms with profound messages. If Bob Marley emerged as the Jamaican reggae ambassador to America, it was Jimmy Cliff who served the rest of the world. He infused his reggae with subtle Latin and worldbeat hues, in the process earning immense audiences around the globe with tribal tunes like "Originator."

If Bob Marley emerged as the Jamaican reggae ambassador to America, it was Jimmy Cliff who served the rest of the world. He infused his reggae with subtle Latin and worldbeat hues, in the process earning immense audiences around the globe with tribal tunes like "Originator" and calypso flair on "Dance."

With his warm voice and endearing persona, Jimmy Cliff enjoys immense popularity worldwide, and he's done more for the art form in the last two decades than any other reggae musician. In fact, he was so seminal, Bob Marley himself followed Cliff's blueprint, both lyrically and musically, to international success.