Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared on Monday: “Today, Jamaica pauses to honor the life of a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world… His legacy lives in every corner.” The voice of Jimmy Cliff, his energy on stage, and his commitment to social themes—such as the song 'Vietnam,' which he himself described as an urgent protest—made him a bridge between popular music and social consciousness. Pioneer of reggae Jimmy Cliff, whose songs like 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' and 'Many Rivers to Cross' helped bring Jamaica's music to the world, died this Monday at the age of 81, his family reported. The news was confirmed through a message from his wife, Latifa Chambers, who explained that Cliff suffered a seizure followed by pneumonia. With his death, not only an interpreter disappears but also a living symbol of reggae as an expression of identity and cultural empowerment. He will be remembered not only for his hits but for the way his music managed to cross borders: from Jamaica to the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and beyond. Born as James Chambers in St. James, Jamaica, in 1944 (or 1948, according to some sources), he began singing in church at the age of six and established himself in Kingston during his adolescence, where he integrated into the nascent ska/rocksteady/reggae scene. Cliff achieved international prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. Songs like 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People' or his version of 'I Can See Clearly Now'—the theme from the film 'Cool Runnings' (1993)—illustrate his ability to connect cultures. Likewise, he starred in the cult Jamaican film 'The Harder They Come' (1972), which with its soundtrack played a key role in the global spread of reggae. During his career he edited more than 30 studio albums, including the last one, 'Refugees' (2022) alongside Wyclef Jean; he received two Grammy Awards (1985 for 'Cliff Hanger' and 2013 for 'Rebirth') and sealed his entry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. From his first ska hits to his late collaborations, his versatility and longevity attest to a seamless career. The world of music, and especially the universe of reggae, loses one of its foundational figures. His songs will continue to sound, his stories will continue to inspire, and his cultural rite as an ambassador of the island will live on in the new generations that will continue to cross 'many rivers' towards new shores. “To all his fans in the world: know that your support was his strength all this time,” noted Chambers.
