What is generally agreed upon is that Cliff’s brush with Nigerian authorities left a deep impression on him—deep enough to be immortalised in music. Versions of the story point to a contract dispute, while others suggest that rival promoters were locked in a bitter feud, with one allegedly summoning the police the moment Cliff arrived in Nigeria. Whatever the true reason, the episode escalated quickly, landing the reggae star in detention and generating international headlines.
According to Cliff, the news of his arrest travelled fast—reaching London, America, Jamaica, and Trinidad—fanned by detractors who, in his telling, hoped to shame him or undermine his rising fame. That emotional sting became the driving force behind “The News,” a song that not only recounts the incident but firmly places Nigeria among the countries Cliff referenced in his socially aware, globally minded catalogue.
The track appeared on Follow My Mind, released on January 9, 1975 by Werner Reprise. Its inclusion seemed to settle questions about what occurred, even if the specific location and date of the confrontation remain uncertain. Lagos, then the bustling commercial capital, is the most likely setting. If the album debuted in early 1975, the incident likely took place the previous year, lending urgency to Cliff’s decision to address the matter through music.
The album itself—often considered vintage Cliff—features an impressive lineup of songs marked by his characteristic blend of rhythmic depth and emotive, velvety vocals. Among the notable tracks are Look at the Mountains, I’m Gonna Live, I’m Gonna Love, Going Mad, Dear Mother, Who Feels It Knows It, and Remake the World. It also includes No Woman, No Cry (written by Bob Marley) and Dear Mother (penned by Joe Higgs).
Cliff produced the music alongside Trevor Lawrence, with recording sessions split between Channel One and King Tubby’s studios in Jamaica and The Burbank Studios in Los Angeles. Over thirty musicians contributed to the album, including reggae heavyweights Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar, helping to craft a sound that resonated with fans around the world.
Yet for Nigerian admirers—of which there were many—“The News” also carried a subtle note of regret. Despite the country’s large fan base, there is no widely documented evidence that Cliff returned for a public or private visit after the incident. The bitter memories may have endured longer than any promotional tour ever could.
Listening to “The News,” one hears both the sting of humiliation and the resilience of an artist determined to reclaim his narrative. Cliff’s voice—supported by harmonies from Joe Higgs, Paulette Brown, and Prince Buster—cuts through with urgency as he recounts the ordeal:
“Here’s a newsflash from our newsroom… famous star jailed for indefinite period…”
What follows is a vivid, rhythmic retelling of scandal, misinformation, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny:
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
I was in Africa down in Nigeria
Oh they threw me in jail
I had one hell getting bail
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
They scandalizing my name
They want to make me look shame
Because I got little fame
They want to make me look shame
Have you heard the news Everybody
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
It started by some liar
Spreading like wild fire
Propaganda all around
News believed in every town
In London ‘Merica then in Jamaica
All over Trinidad
Oh Lord I felt so bad eeh eeh
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
Have you heard the news
It started by some liar
Spreading like wild fire
Propaganda, lies, libel uhh u
It is a song propelled by equal parts frustration and clarity, turning personal turmoil into a piece of musical reportage. Nearly fifty years later, it remains both a narrative window into a turbulent moment and a testament to Cliff’s ability to transform lived experience into art that endures.
If you have the vinyl, CD, or a streaming link, give “The News” another listen—you may find yourself singing along, just as the historian did.