Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has sadly passed away at the age of 81. He died due to a seizure followed by pneumonia, according to his wife Latifa Chambers. Cliff was a Jamaican music icon who helped popularize reggae music worldwide with hits like “Many Rivers to Cross”, “The Harder They Come”, and “You Can Get It If You Really Want”.
He was born James Chambers in St. James Parish, Jamaica, and began his music career at a young age, writing his first hit song “Hurricane Hattie” at 14. Cliff’s music addressed social issues and became an anthem for many, with Bob Dylan praising his song “Vietnam” as “the best protest song ever written”.
Cliff’s legacy extends beyond his music; he starred in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come”, which helped introduce reggae to a global audience. He won two Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, alongside Bob Marley.
