🔗 Share this article

The world mourns the loss of Jimmy Cliff, the celebrated Jamaican musician and actor whose distinctive voice played a key role in spreading the reggae genre across the globe. He passed away at the age of eighty-one.

“It’s with profound sadness that I announce that my beloved husband, Jimmy Cliff, has passed away due to a seizure and subsequent pneumonia,” wrote his wife Latifa on Instagram. “I am grateful for his family, close friends, fellow artists and colleagues who walked with him on his journey. To all his fans globally, please know that your encouragement was his strength throughout his entire professional life … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest peacefully. I will honor your wishes.” Her post was co-signed by their offspring, their son and daughter.

Jimmy Cliff gained fame for hit songs including “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, “I Can See Clearly Now” and Wonderful World, Beautiful People. His upbeat musical style and uplifting temperament brought him a large and longstanding fanbase.

In addition to his music accomplishments, Cliff took the lead role in the 1972’s crime drama “The Harder They Come”, a performance that was highly acclaimed and is viewed as a cornerstone of film in Jamaica.

He is among the select few of artists, including Bob Marley and other greats, to be awarded the prestigious Order of Merit from Jamaica.

Additional details will be provided…