Jamaican singer and actor Jimmy Cliff has died after suffering from a seizure, his wife has confirmed.
He was the cultural icon who helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience.
On Instagram, his wife Latifa Chambers said: ‘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.
‘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.’
The message was also signed off by their children Lilty and Aken.
It read: ‘See you and we see you Legend.’
He is one of few musicians to receive the Jamaican Order of Merit, accepting the accolade in 2003. Bob Marley was also awarded the honour in 1981.
The country’s prime minister, Andrew Holness, has paid tribute to the artist on Instagram. He said: ‘Today, Jamaica pauses to honour the life of the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM, a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.’
He went on: ‘His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.’
Some of his hits include Wonderful World, Beautiful People, You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now.
His music received great praise, including from Bob Dylan, who called his 1969 track Vietnam ‘the best protest song ever written.’
The music star’s last studio album, Refugees, was released in 2022, and Cliff said he wrote the title track ‘due to emotional feelings towards freedom taken away from human beings’.
Cliff wasn’t just a singer, his acting career played a part in helping him become an international name.
He played the lead in 1972 Jamaican crime drama The Harder They Come – a film widely seen as bringing reggae to the US.
On the project, Cliff recalled: ‘The film opened the door for Jamaica.
‘It said, “This is where this music comes from.”‘
The soundtrack featured some of his own music, including Many Rivers To Cross, which has been covered by Cher, UB40 and Annie Lennox. The title track, You Can Get It If You Really Want proved hugely popular.
His
He was born in 1948 as James Chambers, later changing his surname to Cliff to reflect the heights he hoped to reach as an artist.
Cliff grew up in extreme poverty in St. James, Jamaica, and was one of eight children.
He had moved to Kingston by the time he was 14, and later relocated to London. Cliff called the UK capital ‘a bitch’ and said he ‘experienced racism in a manner [he] had never experienced before.’
Over the years he collaborated with a number of artists, including the Rolling Stones and Sting.
His musical career saw him win two Grammy awards and receive seven nominations. Most recently for best reggae album in 2013 with his work Rebirth.
More to follow…
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