‘What’s this groove becoming?!’ How The Harder They Come captured 70s Jamaica and blazed on to stage (opens in new tab)

The monumental soundtrack of Perry Henzell’s film, starring Jimmy Cliff, powered the best musical of 2025. Its creators discuss bringing their hit back after the reggae giant’s deathOn a chilly morning at a Silvertown studio behind London City airport, the sunburst intro to Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come is on repeat. Dancers run through a routine studded with reggae and dancehall moves. “Get high,” commands associate choreographer Neisha-yen Jones with a smile. “Get low!” The ensemble ri...