Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican singer, songwriter, and actor whose music brought the heart of Jamaica to the world, passed away on Nov. 24, 2025, at the age of 81.
His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced he died following a seizure and pneumonia.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career, she said. “He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
Latifa Chambers
Born James Chambers in 1944 in a rural Jamaican village, he was influenced by American music during his formative years. His father, a tailor, envisioned a medical career for him, but Cliff’s passion led him to Kingston to pursue music.
His first notable success came with the song “Hurricane Hattie,” which alluded to a devastating storm in the Caribbean in 1961. In 1964, he represented Jamaica at the World’s Fair in New York City. The following year, he was signed by British producer Chris Blackwell to Island Records, prompting his move to England to further his music career.
Over the course of four decades, Cliff wrote and sang songs that fused reggae, soul, rhythm and blues, and rocksteady music. He addressed issues like war, poverty, and social injustices.
Hits like “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “Vietnam” resonated deeply. His voice evoked both the burden and the joy of struggle in people.
My ancestors said they worked and they tried to find peace, which they couldn’t find in their time, and so they worked and they suffered, and they died,” he said during a BBC interview in 1973. “But I’m conscious that that happened to them, so I will not accept that happening to me. I’m going to have some fun. I’m going to be happy. I’m going to find peace. It’s a matter of saying that I’m not a slave anymore.”
He also starred in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, playing Ivan Martin, a character whose story mirrored aspects of Cliff’s own early life. The movie and its soundtrack became landmark works, helping introduce reggae to a global audience.
Cliff recorded more than 30 albums. He won two Grammy Awards for “Cliff Hanger” (1985) and “Rebirth” (2012), and in 2010, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Jamaica also honored him with its Order of Merit, one of the nation’s highest honors.
Jimmy Cliff in Texas
He had a significant impact in Texas. Cliff’s early musical career began in the 1970s, with notable performances at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin in 1975 and 1976. He participated in the Texas Jam at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in 1978, further establishing his presence in the Texas music scene.
In 1994, Cliff experienced a significant resurgence in popularity due to his rendition of “I Can See Clearly Now,” featured on the soundtrack of the Jamaican bobsled film “Cool Runnings.” This version marked his return to the UK Top 40 for the first time since 1970, reached number one on the French charts, and gained success in various other markets.
Throughout the 1980s, he was featured on the PBS series Austin City Limits, enhancing his visibility. In 2012, he made an appearance at the South by Southwest (SxSW) festival, where he performed “The Harder They Come” alongside Bruce Springsteen and had an acoustic set introduced by Robert Plant. Cliff returned to Austin once more in 2014 for the ACL Music Festival and also played at the Agora Ballroom in Houston during the 1980s.
Honoring Jimmy Cliff
Fellow musicians and peers shared an outpouring of messages about the impact of his music including Dance Hall artists Vybes Kartel and Sean Paul, English Reggae group UB40, and Filmmaker Benny Safdie.
In a post on Instagram, the family of Bob Marley, including his son Ziggy, expressed their condolences to Cliff’s family and loved ones as “he makes his transition.” The post noted that Cliff was an “instrumental figure” in Marley’s rise, “having brought him to producer Leslie Kong in 1962 to record his very first singles, ‘Judge Not’ and ‘One Cup of Coffee.’”
Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised Cliff as a “true cultural giant” whose music embodied the spirit of the nation, remarking that it uplifted people during difficult times, inspired generations, and helped foster global appreciation for Jamaican culture.