Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dies at 81

Jimmy Cliff, the internationally celebrated reggae icon whose music helped bring Jamaica’s sound and cultural identity to the global stage, has died at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced his passing on Monday.

“It is with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” she wrote on his official Instagram page.

She expressed gratitude to Cliff’s family, friends, colleagues, and millions of fans worldwide, saying their support had been his “strength throughout his whole career.”

Over a remarkable four-decade career, Cliff became one of reggae’s foundational architects. A gifted singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, he blended reggae with elements of ska, folk, soul, and rock, often using his music to address politics, poverty, injustice, and war.

Cliff is globally known for timeless hits such as “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “The Harder They Come.” His role in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come,” which drew partly from his early life experiences, propelled both the movie and reggae music to worldwide recognition. The soundtrack and Cliff’s performance are widely credited with helping establish reggae as a global cultural movement.

Often regarded as the most influential reggae artist after Bob Marley—whom he mentored and collaborated with early in Marley’s career—Cliff leaves behind a legacy that shaped generations of musicians and listeners across continents.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, paid tribute to Cliff as “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.”

“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” Holness said. “Walk good, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy lives on in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people.”