Three days after the Hon Dr Jimmy Cliff, OM was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, the 61-year-old reggae superstar told members of the Caribbean press in New York that he hopes to one day win an Oscar award.

“The next trophy I would love to be holding like this is an Oscar award,” he proclaimed, triumphantly hoisting the trophy in the air.

Monday’s glittering black-tie induction ceremony marked the 25th renewal of this now entrenched American music industry tradition and Jimmy Cliff becomes only the second Jamaican performer and the third Jamaican to hold this enviable distinction. Bob Marley was also previously inducted and so, too, was music mogul Chris Blackwell, the latter in a non-performer category. All three Jamaicans join a list of the most awe-inspiring musicians of the twentieth century. Other distinguished inductees from previous years include Michael Jackson, The Beatles, the Bee Gees, Ray Charles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Prince.

It has been a long road for the actor, musician, singer, songwriter, music producer and businessman Jimmy Cliff, christened James Chambers at birth by his parents in the district of Somerton, St James, Jamaica. He has appeared in three successful movies, including the 1986 comedy Club Paradise, co-starring Robin Williams and Peter O’Toole. Four years later he snagged a role in Marked for Death but he had his career-defining role as reggae singer Ivan Martin in the cult classic The Harder They Come. Cliff is currently thumbing through at least four movie scripts, including the final draft of a screenplay tentatively titled Wappy King — the story of a legendary character from Jamaica who has a fearless spirit. Cliff will not only assume a starring role in the flick but will write much of the music for the soundtrack. If all goes well, shooting could begin early next year in Jamaica. Could this prove to be the big role that lands him an Oscar nomination and the pride and joy of Tinseltown? Some would say you have to dream the impossible dream before it can be realised.

Jimmy Cliff is arguably the most celebrated reggae act on the international stage, playing to stadiums and arenas in Africa, Brazil and parts of Europe. He has an equally impressive following in the USA where he is best known for songs like Sitting in Limbo, You Can Get It If You Really Want, Wild World, I Can See Clearly Now and Many Rivers to Cross, all from the soundtrack of The Harder They Come. Regarded as reggae’s first international star and the genre’s greatest living legend, Cliff is hoping to connect with a new generation of fans with the release of his new album, titled Existence, which boasts 15 exciting songs, 13 of which are brand-new compositions.

“The new album is about our life on planet earth. It touches all aspects of our existence, from global warming to starvation, economics, politics, the spiritual and beyond. It deals with love and unconditional love and relationships on a one-on-one basis. In the spiritual realm we have different points of view,” Cliff explained.

Speaking confidently and passionately about the disc he said, “I just love this album. It is like a new baby. Now I have to nurture it into adulthood.”

Among the tracks that will be included on the disc are Blessed Love, Rebel, Rebel, Rebel, Everybody Loves a Winner, You’re a Blessing in Disguise and I Got to Move On. His last studio album was released four-and-a-half years ago. To support the disc, he will embark on a US tour this summer.

When asked which artiste, if any, he would love to collaborate with, he paused to gather his thoughts before affirming that he would love to work with Queen Ifrica. On the international side he identified Jay Z and Nas as worthy collaborators.

As part of the Diaspora outreach, Cliff did an interview on Irie Jam Radio with hosts DJ Roy and Dubb Master Chis, then on Thursday evening IMAGES LLC orchestrated a media reception that provided a platform for the reggae legend to speak directly with members of the Caribbean press.

“Jimmy Cliff has been huge in Europe, Africa and Brazil for decades, but it is refreshing to see him being embraced by the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s never fully got the respect he deserves here in the US, and one hopes this endorsement will continue to shatter cultural borders on the American music landscape, Dave Rodney from Images LLC said.

“After a marathon two-hour interview on Irie Jam radio, the phone lines went ballistic with the endorsement and love from many adoring fans from the community who have not heard from Jimmy in many years. We celebrate his induction and stand proud of his legacy, Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Radio said.

Clarke noted that he has had the pleasure of listening to most of the tracks on the disc and feels it is a strong contender for a future Grammy nomination.

Jimmy Cliff has crossed many rivers and is now ready to take on new challenges.

“I feel now I am on the road, getting set to start act two of my career. The induction was the final act of phase one. Now that I am starting the next phase of my career, I am more focused and ready for battle” he said.

Cliff’s induction is impressive considering the number of million-selling chart-toppers who are nowhere to be seen in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The long list includes Hall & Oates, the Spinners, Barry White, the Stylistics, Electric Light Orchestra, KISS, Chic and the Pointer Sisters.

“I accepted this award on behalf of the people of Jamaica, Africa, the Caribbean and South America,” Cliff proudly declared.

He delivered arguably the best performance of the night, serving up almost 20 minutes of the tastiest hybrid of reggae, spiced with a pinch of rock & roll. It didn’t matter if one fully understood his Jamaican accent, Cliff held everyone in a musical trance with You Can Get It If You Really Want, Many Rivers To Cross and his international soundtrack hit The Harder They Come. Many in the crowd danced as his music proved infectious to those present. His mesmerising performance earned a deserving standing ovation from music legends Bruce Springstein, Phil Collins, Abba, the Bee Gees and Maroon 5 who were all in attendance. Cliff said fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Phil Collins personally congratulated him on his stellar performance. A small contingent from Jamaica, including entertainment executive Chris Samuda, who flew in from Kingston, also cheered, while Cliff’s assistant Ray Watkins flashed a smile as the historic performance came to an end.