Farewell Jimmy Cliff: From Stage to Jail in Nigeria

 Farewell Jimmy Cliff: From Stage to Jail in Nigeria

By Emeka Esogbue

My father was not only a music enthusiast but also a devoted follower of James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff. Born on July 30, 1944, in Somerton (Saint James Parish), Jamaica, Cliff was a reggae legend and an idol for many, including my father, Patrick Chukwudumebi Esogbue. Growing up, I developed a love for Jimmy Cliff alongside Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), another Jamaican musical great.

My curiosity for both musicians grew with my father’s passion for music. His Kenwood turntable, accompanied by two speakers standing side by side on a table, rarely operated without the voices of these reggae icons filling our home. In the evenings, it was almost always Bob Marley or Jimmy Cliff. While both were immensely appealing, Jimmy Cliff held a unique charm that resonated deeply with my father.

Unlike today, Cliff rarely performed on stage, yet his music was powerful, soft but compelling, rich in storytelling and socially conscious lyrics drawn from personal experience and infused with cross-cultural appeal. His signature off-beat rhythms, combined with elements of ska, often moved my father so profoundly that it felt as if he were already on stage in Jamaica alongside Cliff. From these two musical giants, we learned that reggae came with its own distinctive dance steps. My father, in particular, was drawn to the socially and politically conscious lyrics that spoke to injustice in Africa. Cliff understood his African heritage and appreciated the people of the continent, connecting across generations and geography.

One song that always captured my attention was “The News”, from the album Follow My Mind, released in September 1976. I was intrigued by the repeated phrase, “Have you heard the news?” and would often ask my father what the news was. Smiling, he would ask me to listen again until I finally heard the story clearly:

"I was in Africa, down in Nigeria. Oh, they threw me in jail. I had one hell getting bail..."

For a moment, I hated Nigeria, wondering how they could imprison a singer who had brought us so much joy. I even worried that one day Bob Marley might face the same fate. At the time, my father offered no detailed explanation; I only came to understand the full story many years later.

Jimmy Cliff wrote “The News” inspired by his experience of being jailed in Nigeria. In 1974, during his first trip to Africa, he visited Nigeria to perform in a concert tour. Unexpectedly, he was arrested in Lagos and spent three nights in jail. The arrest stemmed from a dispute with a promoter, who claimed he had an exclusive contract to bring Cliff to Africa and that Cliff had failed to honor it.

When the case reached the Nigerian courts, there was no evidence to support the promoter’s claim, and the suit was dismissed. Cliff described the experience as “bitter-sweet”—sweet because of the warm welcome he received from Nigerians, bitter because of the arrest. From my perspective, the dispute should have been handled as a civil matter rather than resulting in imprisonment. Despite the resolution, the incident left a lasting impression on Cliff, who struggled to understand why the judiciary had allowed it to happen.

For Nigeria at the time, the event made foreign artists more cautious about touring the country, as the world struggled to understand what had gone wrong. To this day, I have been unable to uncover the promoter’s name or details about the concert, and it remains a personal curiosity I hope to resolve.

Sadly, Jimmy Cliff has passed away. He died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 81, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of music, culture, and storytelling that will continue to inspire generations.

Jimmy Cliff’s music was more than entertainment; it was a bridge across continents, a voice for justice, and a celebration of African identity. His unexpected arrest in Nigeria stands as a reminder of the challenges he faced even as he spread joy and inspiration through his songs. Yet, despite every obstacle, his artistry endured, connecting people across generations and borders including my father and me. As we remember Jimmy Cliff, we honor not just the melodies and rhythms he created, but the courage, resilience, and humanity behind them. His legacy will live on, echoing in every beat, every lyric, and every heart that dances to the spirit of reggae.