The iconic reggae star, Jimmy Cliff
The iconic reggae star, Jimmy Cliff has died, his wife revealed on Monday that he died at age 81.
His wife, Latifa Chambers wrote on his official Instagram account, “It is with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.
“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his who career,” she wrote.
Over four decades Cliff wrote and sang songs that fused reggae with his sensibilities for folk, soul, ska and rock music, and addressed issues like politics, poverty, injustice, and war protest.
Cliff, a multi-instrumentalist and singer of hits like “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “The Harder They Come,” is widely seen as reggae’s most influential figure after the late Bob Marley, with whom he collaborated early in Marley’s career.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the island nation was pausing to honor Cliff, “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.”
“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” Holness added.
“Walk good, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy lives on in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people.”
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