The news was announced by his wife, Latifa, in a post to Cliff\u2019s official Instagram page which said: \u201cIt\u2019s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff,<\/a> has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and co-workers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.\u201d <\/p>\n Ms Cliff said her husband appreciated \u201ceach and every fan\u201d for the love they showed him, while also thanking the medical team who were \u201cextremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cJimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace,\u201d she added. \u201cI will follow your wishes. I hope you all can respect our privacy during these hard times.\u201d<\/p>\n Her message was co-signed by the couple\u2019s children, Lilty and Aken.<\/p>\n The Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, was among those paying tribute to Cliff, calling him \u201ca true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world\u2026 Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Born James Chambers in the village of Somerton, Jamaica, on 30 July 1944,he was one of nine children raised by their father in a three-bedroom home. His remarkable voice made him a local celebrity aged six, when he began singing in his local church. <\/p>\n Listening to Jamaican music on the radio inspired him to pursue a career as a singer; he moved to Kingston when he was 14, then scored his first hit, \u201cHurricane Hattie\u201d, five years later.<\/p>\n \u201cKingston was rough,” he told The Independent in a 2003 interview,<\/a> \u201cbecause in the city you know no one. You can\u2019t go to your neighbour like in the country and say, \u2018I’m hungry, give me something.\u2019 But by the time I got there, I was prepared to face whatever came. Even that young, I knew what I wanted to do. I had songs I had written, and I wanted them recorded. I had no consciousness about money. It was about getting my art exposed.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on to achieve international success by his mid-twenties, thanks to the singles \u201cWonderful World, Beautiful People\u201d and \u201cVietnam\u201d, the latter once called \u201cthe best protest song\u201d by Bob Dylan.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Cliff pictured in London, 9 May 1974 (Getty)<\/p>\n A starring role in the 1972 crime movie The Harder They Come,<\/a> for which he also provided the soundtrack, was widely credited with helping bring Jamaican culture to the rest of the world, yet he initially balked at the idea. The film\u2019s writer-director, Perry Henzell, flew to the UK, where Cliff was preparing for an extensive tour, to convince him. <\/p>\n![\"Cliff](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jamaican-Reggae-Singer-Jimmy-Cliff-dies-aged-81-Jimmy-Cliff-14mofl8p.jpeg\")
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