November 24, 2025
Throughout his distinguished career, Cliff championed the genre he helped define, building cultural bridges and inspiring countless individuals.
Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican vocalist, songwriter, and actor whose artistry was instrumental in launching reggae onto the global stage, has died at 81.
The cause of death was attributed to a seizure followed by pneumonia, his wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed Nov. 24 in a heartfelt statement on the late artist’s official Instagram page.
The artist’s death announcement provides the definitive medical context for the passing of the revered pioneer, who leaves behind a monumental legacy defined by passion and a commitment to the positive social messages of Jamaican music.
“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. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love. I also wanted to thank Dr. Couceyro and the whole medical staff, as they have been extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process,” Latifa wrote in the post, signed alongside two of the artist’s children, Lilty and Aken.
The family requested privacy while assuring fans that further information would be shared at a later date.
Cliff, born James Chambers in 1944, began his musical career in the local Pentecostal church at age six. His prodigious talent led him to relocate to Kingston at 14, where he adopted the symbolic stage name ‘Jimmy Cliff,’ a sign of his high ambitions, according to a statement from VP Records–his longtime label.
His early work placed him at the core of the burgeoning Jamaican music scene. He cut his first tunes and soon became an integral part of Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s imprint, notably participating in the auditions for future icons like Desmond Dekker and Bob Marley.
Cliff’s global trajectory was solidified when he signed with Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, who saw him as the key to exposing mainstream audiences to reggae. This vision resulted in the 1967 album, Hard Road To Travel.
The turning point that cemented his global superstardom came after his return to Jamaica in 1969.
His self-titled album from that era delivered three evergreen hits that remain foundational to popular music: “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” the spiritual standard “Many Rivers To Cross,” and the anti-war anthem “Vietnam.”
The cover photograph from that album piqued the interest of director Perry Henzell, who cast Cliff in the lead role of the 1972 film, The Harder They Come. The film and its accompanying soundtrack are universally acknowledged as the single most critical force in shattering cultural barriers and firmly establishing reggae as an international genre.
Throughout his distinguished career, Cliff championed the genre he helped define, building cultural bridges and inspiring countless individuals.
His contributions were formally recognized with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Cliff is survived by his wife and children.
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