Jimmy Cliff, one of Jamaica’s leading cultural ambassadors and a global reggae legend, has died
Today, 24 November 2025, Jamaican singer, songwriter and actor Jimmy Cliff passed away at the age of 81. He died after an epileptic seizure complicated by pneumonia, according to his wife, Latifah Chambers.
“We have lost a man of immense heart and talent. We ask for privacy as we go through this grief, ” she said in an official statement.
From a small village in St. James to the world’s stages
Born James Chambers in 1944, Cliff showed a passion for music from an early age. After moving to Kingston, he soon became part of the emerging musical scene that produced ska, rocksteady and later reggae.
His early recordings drew the attention of major Jamaican producers, and by the late 1960s he had become one of the island’s most recognizable artists.
The film that changed the music industry
His true international breakthrough came in 1972, when Cliff starred in the film The Harder They Come. The movie became a cult classic, and its soundtrack — featuring “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross” — sparked widespread interest in reggae across the United States and Europe.
Music critics often describe the film as “the birth moment of global reggae.”
Songs the whole world knows
Throughout his career, Cliff released more than 30 albums and recorded dozens of hits, including “The Harder They Come” and “Wonderful World, Beautiful People.” His rendition of “I Can See Clearly Now” became one of the most recognizable covers in pop culture.
He won two Grammy Awards, received Jamaica’s highest honour — the Order of Merit — and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Reactions from Jamaica and around the world
The Jamaican government and major cultural organizations described his passing as “an irreparable loss.” The People’s National Party emphasized that he “remained one of Jamaica’s most powerful voices on the world stage.”
Music outlets worldwide note that Cliff’s influence rivals that of Bob Marley: he not only created iconic songs, but also served as a cultural ambassador for Jamaica, performing globally and collaborating with artists across generations.
A legacy that will endure
Jimmy Cliff was one of the figures who elevated reggae to a global genre and proved that the music of a small island could resonate with millions. His voice, film roles and songs continue to be heard in cinema, at festivals and in the homes of those who grew up with his music.
He leaves behind a vast legacy — and the reggae world is already calling his passing the end of an era.
