On Monday, November 24, 2025, the world bid farewell to Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican-born musical legend whose voice and vision shaped the soundscape of reggae and left an indelible mark on global culture. He was 81. Born James Chambers in St. James, Jamaica, on July 30, 1944, Cliff’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom is a story of resilience, artistry, and profound influence.
His passing, announced by his wife Latifa Chambers in a heartfelt Instagram post, came after a seizure followed by pneumonia. "It's with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia," she wrote. The message was also signed by their children, Lilty and Aken, underscoring the family’s deep connection and the intimate nature of their loss.
Cliff’s early life was marked by struggle and determination. As the eighth of nine children, he grew up in poverty but found solace and inspiration in music, singing in his local church from the age of six. According to BBC, he was inspired to write songs after hearing ska pioneer Derrick Morgan on the radio. His woodwork teacher’s advice was simple: “You just write it!” Cliff took this to heart, penning his first songs and even crafting a bamboo guitar to accompany himself.
By 14, Cliff had moved to Kingston, adopting the surname ‘Cliff’ to symbolize the heights he aspired to reach. He recorded a handful of singles before topping the Jamaican charts with "Hurricane Hattie," a self-penned track that introduced his unique voice to the island’s dance halls. Yet, his path was anything but smooth. Early in his career, he faced rejection from major studios, including King Edwards, Lesley Kong, Duke Reid, and Clement Dodd. As columnist Gordon Robinson recounted in The Gleaner, King Edwards later admitted that turning Cliff away was his "biggest regret."
Despite these setbacks, Cliff’s perseverance paid off. In 1963, he signed with Island Records and moved to London. The transition was tough; Island’s attempts to mold his sound for rock audiences initially failed to catch fire. But Cliff’s breakthrough came with the 1969 single "Wonderful World, Beautiful People," an upbeat anthem that resonated far beyond Jamaica’s shores. His politically charged song "Vietnam" earned high praise—Bob Dylan once called it “the best protest song ever written.”
Cliff’s international profile soared with his starring role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, where he played Ivan Martin, a young man battling for recognition in Jamaica’s cutthroat music industry. The film’s soundtrack, featuring hits like "You Can Get It If You Really Want" and "Many Rivers to Cross," became a classic, credited by many—including The British Blacklist—with introducing reggae to American audiences. The image of Cliff, afro resplendent and voice soaring, became iconic—a symbol of hope and defiance for generations.
His music was always more than entertainment. Songs like "Wonderful World, Beautiful People," "Vietnam," and his stirring cover of "I Can See Clearly Now" (which many outside Jamaica know him best for) carried messages of social consciousness, resilience, and joy. As he told reggae archivist Roger Steffens in 1986, “The essence of my music is struggle. What gives it the icing is the hope of love.”
Cliff’s contributions were not limited to music. Over a career spanning more than six decades and 30 albums, he became a cultural ambassador for Jamaica. He won two Grammy Awards, received the country’s prestigious Order of Merit in 2003, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Wyclef Jean, who inducted Cliff, said, “When we saw Jimmy Cliff, we saw ourselves.”
His collaborations read like a who’s who of music: Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Elton John, Joe Strummer, Ronnie Wood, and LaToya Jackson, among others. Cliff’s influence extended across genres and continents, from performing in Africa and South America to working with Brazilian musicians and actors. His cover of Nirvana’s "Waterfall" brought him success in Brazil, and he continued to tour and perform well into his later years, including memorable appearances at Glastonbury and Coachella.
But for all his fame, Cliff remained grounded in family. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, he shared, “So now family means everything to me. I have a career, which is important, but my family is the priority. First family and then career. It’s a delicate balance.” He is survived by his wife Latifa Belaydi (Chambers), their two children, Lilty and Aken, and other children from previous relationships, including Brazilian actress and singer Nabiyah Be and his eldest daughter Odessa Chambers. Cliff’s children have followed in his artistic footsteps—Lilty, for example, collaborated with him and trumpeter Dwight Richards on the 2022 track "Racism."
His legacy is also deeply personal for many fans. As recounted by a London-born Jamaican in The British Blacklist, Cliff’s music was more than a soundtrack—it was a lifeline. "When I felt lost, Many Rivers to Cross reminded me that hardship is part of the journey, not the end of it. When I needed courage, You Can Get It If You Really Want lifted me up." These songs, and the stories they told, resonated with people far beyond Jamaica, offering validation, hope, and a sense of home.
Cliff’s impact reached the highest levels of Jamaican society. The country’s Prime Minister reflected on his legacy, noting that his music "lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect Jamaica enjoys today." His artistry bridged cultural divides, bringing the rhythms and struggles of Jamaica to the world stage.
Even in his final years, Cliff’s connection to his roots and his fans never wavered. In a live performance over a decade ago in New York, he ad-libbed a new verse to "Many Rivers to Cross," capturing the spirit that defined his life: “Love is my foundation, Wisdom is my capital, Struggle is my manner, Truth is my redeemer, Sorrow is my companion, Love is my foundation, Many rivers I’ve crossed, It’s been so hard to find my way over.”
As the world mourns the loss of Jimmy Cliff, his melodies, messages, and memories endure. From the hills of Adelphi to stages across the globe, his journey reminds us that even the steepest cliffs can be scaled with vision, talent, and heart. His rivers may have been many, but his legacy flows on—strong, hopeful, and everlasting.
