November 2025 — The music world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices. Jimmy Cliff, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and one of the last surviving pioneers who carried Jamaican reggae to the global stage, has died at 81.
Death Announced by Family
Cliff’s wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his passing in a heartfelt Instagram post, revealing that he died following a seizure that led to 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. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
A Pillar of Reggae’s Global Rise
Born James Chambers in 1944, Cliff moved to Kingston at age 14, adopting the stage name that would become synonymous with reggae across generations. His early hit “Hurricane Hattie” marked his rise in Jamaica, but it was his work after joining Island Records in London that forever changed the trajectory of global music.
Though early attempts to reframe his sound for rock audiences were mixed, Cliff found worldwide acclaim with tracks like “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” and the politically charged “Vietnam,” which Bob Dylan once called the best protest song he had ever heard.
Breakout Stardom Through Film
Cliff’s landmark moment came in 1972 with the release of the Jamaican crime drama ‘The Harder They Come’, where he starred as Ivan Martin, an aspiring singer navigating Kingston’s harsh realities. The film became a cultural phenomenon, introducing reggae to audiences across the United States and Europe.
Its soundtrack — featuring “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and the title track — remains one of the most influential collections in reggae history.
Awards, Influence, and Legacy
Cliff earned two Grammy Awards for his albums Cliff Hanger (1985) and Rebirth (2012). In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, one of the few Jamaican artists to receive the honor.
His hits — including “I Can See Clearly Now,” featured in the 1993 film Cool Runnings — continue to resonate across generations, blending reggae, ska, soul, and rocksteady in a way only Cliff could.
A Life Anchored by Family and Spirituality
Cliff is survived by his wife, Latifa Chambers, and their two children, Lilty and Aken. Though raised Christian and later a convert to Islam, he described his later-life beliefs as a personal spiritual journey. Throughout interviews, Cliff frequently emphasized that family came before everything — including career.
