Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, one of the most influential voices in Jamaican music, has passed away at the age of 81. The announcement was made on the late icon’s official Instagram account by his wife, Latifa Chambers, who said he died following a seizure and subsequent pneumonia.
Born James Chambers in 1948 in St. James, Jamaica, Cliff grew up in extreme poverty as the eighth of nine children. He began singing in church at six and moved to Kingston at 14, adopting the stage name “Cliff” to symbolize the heights he aimed to reach.
Cliff rose to international prominence with hits such as Wonderful World, Beautiful People and You Can Get It If You Really Want. His politically charged song Vietnam earned praise from Bob Dylan as “the best protest song ever written.”
In 1972, Cliff starred as Ivan Martin in the seminal film The Harder They Come, portraying a young musician navigating Jamaica’s corrupt music scene. The movie is widely credited with introducing reggae to global audiences, particularly in the United States.
Over his long career, Cliff released Grammy-winning albums including Cliff Hanger (1985) and Rebirth (2012), and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. His work continues to inspire artists and fans around the world, cementing his status as a true pioneer of reggae music.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Latifa, and their children, Lilty and Aken. His family thanked fans worldwide for their support, noting that it had been a source of strength throughout his illustrious career.
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