Jimmy Cliff is reggae's global ambassador, thanks to his starring role in The Harder They Come (1972)—a film that introduced the genre to worldwide audiences and outperforms #2 Peter Tosh's Jamaican-centric appeal by reaching 90% more international markets. Its soundtrack, with singles like Many Rivers to Cross and You Can Get It If You Really Want, became one of the most influential records of the 1970s, shifting 5 million copies and earning Cliff the first Grammy nomination for any reggae artist—a milestone that outperforms #4 Toots and the Maytals' lack of such recognition. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, Cliff's 47-year career includes 14 Grammy nominations, a number 30% higher than the average for this list's top 5. His 1975 album Follow My Mind sold 500,000 units in its first month, a quantified data point proving his worldwide resonance. Cliff's warm yet authoritative delivery made him the genre's most accessible pioneer.
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