The announcement was made by his wife, Latifa Chambers, who shared a statement on his official social media accounts on Monday, November 24, 2025. She revealed that the reggae giant “crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.” Cliff leaves behind a monumental legacy that shaped the sound of Jamaica and influenced artists across countless genres.
Singer Jimmy Cliff performs onstage during day 1 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 13, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
A Career That Brought Reggae to the World
Born James Chambers in 1944, Cliff was one of the very first Jamaican artists to achieve major international success, paving the way for the global emergence of Bob Marley and others in the 1970s. His unique artistry was defined by a blend of beautiful music and socially conscious lyrics, exemplified by classic anthems like the hopeful “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” the resilient “Many Rivers to Cross,” and the powerful protest song “Vietnam,” which Bob Dylan once called the best he had ever heard. This musical temperament brought him a large and loyal fanbase worldwide.
The Impact of ‘The Harder They Come’
Cliff’s greatest cultural achievement was the landmark 1972 film The Harder They Come, in which he starred as the anti-hero, Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, an aspiring reggae musician who turns to crime. The film, and its highly influential soundtrack featuring Cliff’s title track, “The Harder They Come,” is considered a cornerstone of Jamaican cinema and was singularly crucial in introducing reggae music and Jamaican culture to millions of people in the United States and Europe. His later hit cover of “I Can See Clearly Now,” featured in the film Cool Runnings, returned him to global charts decades later.
Enduring Recognition and Honors
Cliff’s decades-long career earned him consistent critical and industry recognition across the globe. He was a two-time Grammy Award winner for Best Reggae Album, winning first for Cliff Hanger in 1986 and again in 2013 for his acclaimed album, Rebirth. His permanent place in music history was cemented by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Furthermore, the Jamaican government honored him with the Order of Merit, the highest honour granted for achievements in the arts and sciences, a distinction he held as the only living reggae musician at the time.
