Jamaican singer, songwriter, and actor Jimmy Cliff, a key figure in popularizing reggae internationally, has died at 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, shared the news on Instagram Monday, Nov. 24, writing that Cliff passed “due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.” She expressed gratitude to family, friends, fellow musicians, and fans who supported him throughout his career.
Born James Chambers in 1948 in St. James Parish, Jamaica, Cliff began singing in church at age six and moved to Kingston as a teenager to pursue music. He adopted the stage name “Cliff” as a symbol of the heights he aspired to reach. He released his debut single, “Hurricane Hattie,” in 1962, later delivering the buoyant anthem “You Can Get It If You Really Want” alongside the deeply resonant “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder They Come.” The latter became both a defining soundtrack and a cult film in which he played the lead role of Ivan Martin, cementing his place in reggae history.
Cliff’s version of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” appeared on the 1993 film Cool Runnings soundtrack, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing his music to a new generation. Over his career, Cliff earned two Grammy Awards—1985’s Best Reggae Recording for Cliff Hanger and 2013’s Best Reggae Album for Rebirth—and seven nominations, culminating in his 2010 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Chambers signed off her tribute with a personal farewell to her husband and their children, Lilty and Aken, asking fans to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
Cliff’s work brought the rhythms and storytelling of Jamaican reggae to a broader audience, influencing generations of musicians who draw from roots, blues, and soul traditions. His early recordings in Kingston, along with his film and soundtrack work, crafted the way Caribbean music could convey universal experiences while retaining its distinct cultural voice.
