Jamaican Icon Jimmy Cliff, Music Legend and Cultural Figure, Dies at 81 Years of Age

Global audiences grieves the passing of the iconic Jimmy Cliff, the renowned Jamaican reggae singer and performer whose captivating voice played a key role in spreading reggae music across the globe. The artist has died at the age of eighty-one.

“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my beloved husband, Jimmy Cliff, has passed away due to a seizure and subsequent pneumonia,” wrote his spouse Latifa on Instagram. “I am thankful for his family, friends, peers in the arts and coworkers who walked with him on his journey. To all his fans globally, please know that your support was his strength throughout his entire professional life … Jimmy, my dear, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.” Her post was co-signed by their children, their son and daughter.

Cliff gained fame for hit songs such as You Can Get It If You Really Want, I Can See Clearly Now and “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”. His upbeat sound and positive spirit earned him a large and longstanding fanbase.

In addition to his music accomplishments, Cliff took the lead role in the 1972 crime drama “The Harder They Come”, a performance that was highly acclaimed and is considered a landmark of Jamaican cinema.

He is among the select few of artists, alongside the legendary Bob Marley and other greats, to be awarded the prestigious Jamaican Order of Merit.

More to follow…