The president of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, as well as artists such as UB40 and Rohan Marley, one of Bob Marley's sons, expressed condolences on Monday for the death of legendary reggae musician Jimmy Cliff, who was 81 and died from complications of pneumonia.
“Today, Jamaica pauses to honor the life of the Honorable Jimmy Cliff, Order of Merit of the United Kingdom, a great cultural giant, and whose music carried the hearts of our nation to the world,” Holness expressed on his X account.
In turn, Rohan Marley, one of Bob Marley's many sons, posted on his Instagram that he was “thankful to life for a great man” like Cliff, whom he also considered his “brother and legend.”
Meanwhile, the English reggae group UB40 also mourned Cliff's passing through X, describing him as “an icon in music and an original reggae superstar.”
“I am utterly devastated to learn of the death of the father of reggae Jimmy Cliff,” Campbell stated on X. Campbell also described Cliff as “a great founder and a pillar of our music, and one of the first to take reggae to the world.”
“His music lifted people during difficult times, inspired generations, and helped shape the worldwide respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” he highlighted.
He moved to the United Kingdom and became a reggae and ska star. So much so that he is one of two Jamaican members in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with Bob Marley.
The death of Cliff, whose full name was James Chambers and who was born on July 30, 1944, in Saint James (Jamaica), was announced by his wife, Latifa Chambers, on social media.
He was also a film actor and starred in an essential film of Jamaican cinema, 'The Harder They Come' (1972), for which he also handled the soundtrack and is credited with introducing reggae to the United States.
Cliff began participating in musical contests from a very young age, and at 17, his career took off with 'Hurricane Hattie' after convincing Chinese-origin producer Leslie Kong to record his first tracks.
His consecration came in 1969 with his self-titled album, which contains classics such as 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'Vietnam', and 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People'.
“Rest in peace, king. You gave us an exciting extension of being among the best. Good journey, master,” Marley pointed out.
“Rest in peace, Jimmy. Your music will live forever,” added the group, whose lead singer, Ali Campbell, also expressed condolences for Cliff's passing.
“We have many rivers to cross. With much love, Ali,” Campbell added about the veteran musician.
“Finally, Jimmy crossed the last river,” mentioned the group in reference to the many times the singer referred to “the many rivers” people cross in their lives.
Holness also highlighted that songs by Cliff such as 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'The Harder They Come', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want', and 'Sitting in Limbo' led the musician to “tell our story with soul and honesty.”
In 2012, Cliff won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for 'Rebirth', and in recent years, he worked with Ghanaian producer Kwame Yeboah, with whom he returned to purer reggae.
“Value our legends,” he pointed out.
