Ivanhoe Martin arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, looking for work and, after some initial struggles, lands a recording contract as a reggae singer. He records his first song, "The Harder They Come," but after a bitter dispute with a manipulative producer named Hilton, soon finds himself resorting to petty crime in order to pay the bills. He deals marijuana, kills some abusive cops and earns local folk hero status. Meanwhile, his record is topping the charts.
as Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin
as Elsa
as Jose
as Pedro
as Preacher
as Hilton
as Detective Ray Jones
as Mother
as Pushcart Boy
as Housewife
as Market Woman
as Longa
as DJ at Dance
as Photographer
as Fitz
as Barmaid
as DJ
as Freddie
as Girl
as Elsa Friend
as Elsa Friend
as Drunk
as Himself
as Editor
as Django (archive footage)