“None A Jah Jah Children Nuh Cry,” recorded in 1975 by the legendary singer Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus, has long stood as a spiritual lighthouse. The Nyabinghi song, produced by Tommy Cowan with an all-star lineup of musicians—including Robbie Shakespeare on bass; Robert Lyn on piano and organ; Carlton “Santa” Davis and Michael “Mikey Boo” Richards on drums; Peter Tosh on synthesizers, guitar, and clavinet; Earl “Chinna” Smith on guitar; and Tommy McCook on flute—has transcended time, borders, and generations, guiding listeners through hardship with messages of faith, endurance, and divine comfort.
Now, five decades after its original release, the song is being reimagined for a musical mission. Ras Michael and his daughter, Empress Niomie, have pulled together a cross-generational ensemble of reggae voices to re-record the classic and raise funds for Jamaicans in western Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa. For Ras Michael, the song’s enduring power lies in its divine origin and universal message.
“This song carries a message that uplifts people, irrespective of color, class, or where they might come from… it brings you to a comfort zone,” he shared. “It carries you beyond what you see—toward eternal life… it’s spiritual and natural, but the spirit comes first.”
That spiritual essence—rooted in Nyabinghi drumming and Rastafarian faith—is exactly why the song resonated globally, especially across Europe, where it became an anthem of unity and resistance.
Lines like “He wipes your weeping eyes” and “there’s a land where there is no sin, no death, no pain” take on renewed meaning as Jamaica rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“There is so much pain, so much loss… and he wanted to do something,” Empress Niomie said of her father. “He decided to contribute proceeds from the song because it fits the whole occasion… it provides a deep spiritual comfort, knowing that God is with us no matter what.”
By using a song already associated with healing and hope, she said the aim is to channel its emotional power into tangible relief for affected families.
Bridging generations
One of the most compelling elements of the project is its multi-generational collaboration. Alongside seasoned voices like Maxi Priest and David Hinds of Steel Pulse, the project also features Irish singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O’Connor, a friend of Ras Michael; Empress Ichell-Floatis; Michael Enkrumah, son of Ras Michael; and multilingual vocalist Natalie Rutkin. The inclusion of 13-year-old singer, actress, and philanthropist Jazmin Headley of Toronto, Canada, signals the future of reggae’s message.
Headley, who traveled from Toronto to New Jersey to record her part using the original Nyabinghi rhythm, described the experience as transformative.
“It’s such an incredible honor to be part of a song with such a powerful meaning,” Jazmin said. “It’s talking about children and how, during such a difficult time, there is hope… and new beginnings, no matter what.”
Her presence underscores the timelessness of the message. Though born decades after the song’s creation, she connected deeply with its purpose, proving that true roots music knows no generational boundaries.
Beyond music, Headley’s own philanthropic efforts in Canada and Jamaica—as a youth ambassador creating “Jazmin Headley Corners” in hospitals for children—along with her upcoming project with the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston and her work to assist residents of western Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa, align seamlessly with the project’s mission.
“It’s an opportunity to continue to give back in my own way… especially to kids my age,” she told Caribbean National Weekly.
Ras Michael’s selection of collaborators reflects spiritual alignment. His relationships with Maxi Priest, David Hinds, and Sinéad O’Connor were built on shared roots, friendship, and authenticity.
“These are the real roots… authentic,” he emphasized, recalling early connections formed during tours in England. This re-recording is a reminder of reggae’s original function—not just entertainment, but elevation.
In times of despair, music becomes medicine. And “None A Jah Jah Children Nuh Cry” remains one of reggae’s most potent prescriptions.
As Empress Niomie hinted, the finished project—which will be produced by Paul Drew Gad, known for his work with dancehall star Nigy Boy—is nearing completion.
“We are working on the project with Drew Gad, NY radio host Bobby Channel One, and media marketer Tony ER Guru. We hope to have it completed very, very soon,” she said.
In a world increasingly defined by division and disaster, Ras Michael’s revival of this sacred chant reminds us that no matter the storm, there is a higher power watching over “Jah Jah children.” And through this project, that message won’t just be heard—it will help rebuild lives.
