Jimmy Cliff - Research Paper Example

“Reggae changed the traditional rock patterns by allowing guitar to play the off-beat chords, while the bass guitar played melodic patterns” (Reggae par.1). Jimmy Cliff was born on April 1948 in Somerton District of Jamaica; he was the second youngest among 9 of his brothers and sisters. His parents parted away when he was very young, so Cliff was brought up by his grandmother and father. His Grandmother played an important role in his career as she always encouraged him to sing and appreciated whatever he sang.

She made him confident about his ability of doing something great one day. Family too played a very major role in Cliff’s life. Jimmy Cliff apart from being a well known singer is also known as an internationally famous musician and actor. With his 50 years of valuable contribution in the entertainment industry Cliff has two Grammy Awards to his credit and also the distinction of being one of the only two reggae artists inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the highest honour given by Jamaican government in the field of arts and sciences making him an international icon.

With over 20 albums till date, Jimmy “Cliff has been one of the brightest stars of Jamaica’s thriving musical culture and was among the first to bring reggae to the worldwide audience” (Jimmy Cliff Biography par.1). . Cliff’s later hit singles included King of Kings, Dearest Beverly, Miss Jamaica, Pride and Passion. “The harder they come” in 1972 gave him an opportunity to showcase his acting talent where he played the role of a boy who wanted to enter into the world of music but could not succeed and with time he gets involved in illegal activities and crime, his role was appreciated by all, the movie was a big hit and brought Jimmy and Reggae in international spotlight.

His songs “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder they come” were a massive hit. Jimmy always wanted to become an actor and in his school days he was appreciated for his acting skills and his prime will was to become an iconic actor and singing just happened by accident. Music and Acting has played a very important role in his life and these are the two things which gave him the recognition worldwide. His achievements in his career make him unique and he is unstoppable even at the age of 65.

Jimmy Cliff is ready to play a new innings in his career with the sequel of his famous movie “ The Harder they come” through which he dreamed to win his dream : The Oscar and is also working on his Grammy Fame Album Rebirth’s next part where he wants to experiment with something new apart from reggae. Jimmy also contributed a lot towards the society by raising his voice for the poor and deprived, he was very disturbed to see the plight of people in Africa and their discrimination on the basis of colour, through his songs like the opener, world upside down whose lyrics were updated by Cliff.

His socially conscious songs on Rebirth included “Children’s Bread, with his harsh refrain, “They took the children’s bread and give it to the dogs.The time has come for us to right the wrongs.”