Jimmy Cliff dies at 81: leaving behind a global musical legacy

Reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff, whose music helped carry the rhythms of Jamaica to audiences around the world, has died at the age of 81. His wife confirmed that he suffered a seizure followed by pneumonia.

His passing marks the end of a remarkable six-decade career that reshaped global music and culture.

Born James Chambers in rural St James Parish, Jamaica, Cliff moved to Kingston as a teenager with the ambition of pursuing music. He found early success with the single Hurricane Hattie and went on to achieve international recognition through songs such as Many Rivers to Cross and You Can Get It If You Really Want. His 1993 cover of I Can See Clearly Now introduced his voice to a new generation of listeners.

Cliff was not simply a hit maker. He starred in the 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come, a film that brought Jamaican music, language and social realities to the global stage. Over the course of his career, he released more than 30 albums, collaborated with major artists, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

His music carried themes of resilience, identity and hope. Through a blend of reggae, soul and pop, he helped define a sound that travelled far beyond the shores of Jamaica and shaped the direction of modern music.

Jimmy Cliff leaves behind a catalogue that introduced reggae to international audiences and influenced generations of artists.