Jimmy Cliff, the iconic musician who helped bring reggae to a global audience, has passed away at the age of 81, his family announced Monday on his official Instagram account.
“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,” his wife, Latifa Chambers, wrote.
Cliff was celebrated for hits such as Many Rivers to Cross and The Harder They Come, the title track of the 1972 film in which he starred. The movie’s soundtrack became an international sensation and played a pivotal role in popularizing Jamaican reggae worldwide.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute, saying, “His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”
Musicians and fans alike honored his legacy. Ali Campbell of UB40 described him as “a true foundation, a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world,” in a post on X.
Born in Jamaica in 1944, Cliff scored his first local hit at 14 with Hurricane Hattie. Over his career, he won two Grammy Awards and earned seven nominations. He was one of only two Jamaicans inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, joining Bob Marley; he was inducted in 2010, with Wyclef Jean giving the introductory speech. Writer Rob Bowman noted that even if Cliff had only starred in The Harder They Come, he would have deserved this honor.
A central figure in Jamaican music, Cliff also worked as an A&R representative for Beverley’s Records, helping discover artists like Desmond Dekker and a young Bob Marley.
Cliff remained creatively active throughout his life, collaborating with artists across genres, including the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, while others such as Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nelson recorded his songs. His protest song Vietnam was hailed by Bob Dylan as “the greatest protest song ever written.”
After his 2012 Grammy-winning album Rebirth, Cliff reflected on his ongoing purpose, saying, “Now, I feel I have not completed what I’m here on this planet to do. I have to say what I have to say and do what I have to do via music and films. Every morning I wake up, that keeps me going.”
Source: NBC News
