Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud Why you can't tell the story of reggae without Jimmy Cliff, and Stranger Things S5
Nov 27, 2025
Sonja Stanley Niaah, a cultural studies professor, and Danae Peart, a Jamaican-Canadian culture critic, discuss the profound legacy of reggae legend Jimmy Cliff following his passing. They delve into Cliff's role in globalizing reggae and the impact of his film The Harder They Come. Later, TV critics Alison Herman and Hoai-Tran Bui analyze the cultural phenomenon of Stranger Things Season 5, its nostalgic appeal, and the stakes for its characters. They highlight the show’s evolution and critique its nostalgic reliance as it approaches its conclusion.
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Jimmy Cliff As Reggae's Global Catalyst
- Jimmy Cliff was central to reggae's global rise, not just as a singer but as an actor and cultural figure.
- The film The Harder They Come (1972) served as his international breakthrough and exported Jamaican culture worldwide.
A Scholar's Personal Grief
- Sonja Stanley Niaah described a personal weight of sadness at Jimmy Cliff's death, noting her parents always played reggae.
- She recalled meeting and working with Jimmy Cliff, underlining his personal influence in Jamaica.
Music As Personal Soundtrack
- Danae Peart called Jimmy Cliff the soundtrack to her life and unlocked core memories from school recitals to songs that carried her through hard times.
- She emphasized his status as a global icon and urged proper placement of him in reggae storytelling.
