Global reggae icon, singer and actor Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, leaving behind a towering legacy that shaped the sound and soul of Jamaican music for more than six decades.
Cliff’s widow, Latifa Chambers, took to Instagram, sharing the news on his official page.
“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him,” she wrote.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes,” she concluded the message, which was also signed by the couple’s children, Lilty and Aken.
Cliff, born James Chambers in 1944 in St. Catherine, Jamaica, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the few artists credited with carrying reggae beyond the island’s borders.
His distinctive voice and uplifting songwriting style produced global classics such as “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “We All Are One.”
He is also behind the internationally adored “I Can See Clearly Now,” which has over 100 million views on YouTube.
Beyond music, Cliff made a historic mark in film.
His lead role in the groundbreaking 1972 crime drama The Harder They Come introduced the world to the gritty realities of Jamaica and propelled reggae into mainstream consciousness. The movie is still regarded as a foundational work in Jamaican cinema.
Over the years, Cliff earned numerous recognitions, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Jamaican Order of Merit, one of the country’s highest honours, an award shared only by a handful of legendary figures, including Bob Marley.
Jimmy Cliff leaves behind a legacy of hope, resilience and music that transcended borders.
His voice helped define a genre, inspire generations and bring the spirit of Jamaica to global stages, and now his loss marks the end of an era for reggae lovers worldwide.