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.’
Cliff 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 Cliff 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.
Cliff began writing as the early sounds of reggae – first called ska – were being developed, and as Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain.
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, as his acting career also 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.
Talking about the film to the Observer in 2022, Cliff said: ‘Once the music had a chance to be recognised, it just jumped out at people.
‘And then (the film) showed people where the music was coming 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.
In a post on X, UB40 star Ali Campbell said he was ‘absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of a Reggae forefather’.
A musical based on the hit film was performed in London earlier this year. It followed the story of Ivan, an aspiring singer who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica with the goal of making it in music.
Cliff was born in 1944 as James Chambers, later changing his surname to Cliff to reflect the heights he hoped to reach as an artist.
He grew up in extreme poverty in St. James, Jamaica, and was one of eight children.
By the time he was 14, he’d moved to Kingston, and later relocated to London in 1965. Cliff said he ‘experienced racism in a manner [he] had never experienced before’ in the UK capital.
In London, he was signed to Island Records but his initial work with the label wasn’t a success as they tried to make his sound palatable to rock audiences.
However, in 1969 Wonderful World, Beautiful People was a huge hit and reached number six in the charts.
Over the years he collaborated with various 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.
Cliff was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010.
