Oliver Samuels (right), plays Cappo in the theatre comedy River Bottom. At left is Glen Campbell.

Every year when Black History Month comes around, the centre of attention always seems to be placed on one person or a set of individuals. For example, we would mostly hear or see things that only has to do with persons such as Bob Marley, Martin Luthur King or our National Heroes. This is very good, but apart from these individuals, there are numerous individuals who have stood out. They have shown to the world that black people aren't the 'dark and arrogant', but that we are a people filled with promise, talent, ambition and intellect.

As TEENS, it is our right to not only know where we're coming from, but to know about those great ones who have paved the way for us in order for our lives to be a little bit better. Whether they may or may not be affiliated to reggae or Jamaica, they are a true inspiration to may across the globe. As such, we here at TEENage would like to endorse these personalities and bring them out into the spotlight. Here's the list:

Jimmy Cliff (OM) is one of Jamaica's reggae musicians, who is best known among mainstream audiences for songs like Sittin' in Limbo, You Can Get It If You Really Want, and Many Rivers to Cross from The Harder They Come, a film soundtrack which helped popularise reggae across the world. The soundtrack to The Harder They Come was a huge success that sold well across the world. After a series of albums, Cliff took a break and travelled to Africa, exploring his new-found Muslim spirituality. In addition to providing the music for the 1972 film, The Harder They Come, Cliff also starred as reggae-singing hopeful Ivanhoe 'Ivan' Martin. Cliff also appeared as Jamaican musician and revolutionary Ernest Reed in the 1986 comedy Club Paradise, co-starring Robin Williams and Peter O Toole, and contributed to the song Seven Day Weekend to the soundtrack, which he sang with Elvis Costello.

Oliver Samuels is one of Jamaica's most popular and outstanding comedians both 'a yaad' and abroad. He is often described as the 'Jamaican King of Comedy' performing both stand-up and comic theatre. He found fame on the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation's (JBC) television series Oliver At Large, which was created by Producer Calvin Butler and playwright Aston Cooke. Abroad, he is known as Jamaica's Bill Cosby and is a brand name that is synonymous with Jamaica and laughter and is widely regarded as one of the funniest talents to emerge from the Caribbean.

Jimmy Cliff

Look out next week for more facts.

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