Richie Stephens pays tribute to Jimmy Cliff with ‘Trapped’ remake
Published:Monday | January 19, 2026 | 12:08 AM
What began as an unplanned performance at the memorial service for the late Jimmy Cliff has developed into an official tribute, an emotional remake of one of his most classic tracks. Richie Stephens says that his rendition of Trapped is not just a cover but a heartfelt effort to immortalise Cliff through music.
Stephens told The Gleaner that the track Trapped is “deeply personal”. He says this was obvious at the memorial service as he was just as moved by the performance as the audience was.
“Choosing it for Cliff’s funeral felt instinctive,” he said, explaining that it was not initially listed for the ceremony. “But the response proved why it was the best choice.”
He shared that as clips circulated online, audiences worldwide described the tribute as “moving and unforgettable”, prompting his decision to preserve the moment in an official release.
Stephens said, having discovered Trapped in the mid-1980s, the track not only became a cornerstone of his early live performances, but a representation of music’s endless possibilities. He said the track proved that Jamaica’s music and ultimately its entertainers were not defined by a single sound.
Entering the studio, Stephens said he focused on honouring Cliff’s legacy as a groundbreaking singer while delivering the song through his own lens as a seasoned artiste.
Trapped, one of the tracks from Jimmy Cliff’s 1972 album, The Harder They Come, was penned during a period of career downturn following the singer’s 1960s success. It reflected a feeling of being stuck in his musical journey before The Harder They Come revitalised his career. Its powerful lyrics and funky reggae beat were later popularised globally by Bruce Springsteen, who did a rock version and included it on the 1985 charity album We Are the World. Cliff later re-recorded the song himself, channelling aspects of Springsteen’s powerful delivery, and they even performed it together, highlighting their artistic connection.
Stephens says he hopes Trapped will introduce Jimmy Cliff to a new generation, reinforcing the late singer’s status as a global reggae legend. Produced by Stephens’ Pot of Gold Production and distributed by VPAL, the song is now available on all major digital and streaming platforms.