Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, a pioneer who played a pivotal role in bringing Jamaican sounds to a global audience, has passed away at the age of 81.
His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced his death on Instagram, sharing that he “crossed over” on November 24, 2025, following a seizure and a subsequent battle with pneumonia.
Born James Chambers, Cliff rose from rural poverty in Jamaica to become an international superstar, famously starring as the rebel Ivan in the 1972 landmark film The Harder They Come. This performance, along with the film’s iconic soundtrack, is credited with introducing reggae to the United States and the wider world.
Cliff’s career was defined by a versatile, sweet voice and a catalog of hits that ranged from the joyful “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” to the socially conscious “Vietnam” and the timeless “Many Rivers to Cross.”
Throughout his decades-long career, he achieved significant milestones, including two Grammy Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Following his death, the Jamaican government honored him with an official funeral on December 17, 2025, at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.
Tributes have poured in from fellow musicians and world leaders alike, all celebrating the legacy of a man who was not only a cultural giant but a humble messenger for the spirit of Jamaica.
