International reggae icon, Jimmy Cliff, has died at the age of 81, his family announced on Monday.
9news Nigeria reports that his wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed the singer’s passing in a statement posted on his official social media pages.
She disclosed that Cliff died after battling pneumonia which followed a seizure.
She wrote: “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. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
Born James Chambers, Jimmy Cliff was widely celebrated for helping reggae break into the global mainstream. His breakthrough came through his unforgettable performance in the landmark film The Harder They Come, a project that cemented him as one of reggae’s most influential voices.
Cliff began recording music after moving from rural Jamaica to Kingston, where he landed early singles and later topped the Jamaican charts with Hurricane Hattie under Leslie Kong’s Beverly Records.
He went on to score more hits that blended ska, pop, and soul, marking him as one of the most versatile artistes of his era.
In 1965, Cliff moved to London after being signed by Chris Blackwell of Island Records.
There, he expanded his sound to incorporate rhythm and blues, drawing audiences far beyond the Caribbean.
By the late 1960s, he had become a sensation in South America, winning a major festival prize in Brazil with his song Waterfall.
His album Wonderful World, Beautiful People became a global hit and even inspired Paul Simon to explore reggae.
Cliff reached the height of worldwide fame starring in The Harder They Come, a film considered one of Jamaica’s most important cultural exports.
He contributed several classics to its soundtrack, including: Many Rivers to Cross; Sitting in Limbo; The Harder They Come.
The film and its music made Jimmy Cliff an international phenomenon and a defining figure of reggae music.
