Tributes for Jimmy Cliff | Legendary artiste and actor remembered as global icon and cultural ambassador

Veteran reggae artiste, songwriter, and actor Jimmy Cliff is being hailed as a cultural giant who has inspired the globe.

The singer, whose given name is James Chambers, passed away today at age 81.

The announcement was shared on his official Instagram page on Monday, noting that he died due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.

The country’s leaders, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, have both expressed deep sadness at Cliff’s passing.

In his tribute, Holness said he is grateful for his life, contributions, and the pride he brought to Jamaica.

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He added that through timeless songs like ‘Many Rivers to Cross’, ‘The Harder They Come’, ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’, and ‘Sitting in Limbo’, Jimmy Cliff told stories with honesty and soul.

“Today, Jamaica pauses to honour the life of the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM, a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world,” he said.

“His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today,” he added.

Holness stated that Cliff’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

For his part, Golding called Cliff a true icon of Jamaican music and culture.

He said that his contributions to reggae and Jamaica’s global cultural footprint are immeasurable.

“From ‘The Harder They Come’ to ‘Many Rivers to Cross’, his music transcended borders and inspired generations. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and fans worldwide. May he rest in peace, and his legacy live on.”

Meanwhile, Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange, in her tribute, said Jamaica and the world have undoubtedly lost one of the greatest proponents of Jamaican music and a film pioneer.

"I spoke with Jimmy's wife and conveyed my personal condolences and that of the Government of Jamaica following his passing. He died at approximately 1 o'clock this morning in hospital. This has left us deeply saddened as the transitioning of Jimmy Cliff represents a major loss, not just for Jamaica but for the world. He gave so much of his life to delivering music which had a peculiar and relevant message and resonated in every corner of the globe,” said Grange in a statement on Monday.

"Jimmy Cliff is no doubt a pioneer of music and must also be appropriately hailed as a legend of our time. His songs, including 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'You Can Get It If You Really Want', 'The Harder They Come', 'Reggae Night' and 'Hakuna Matata', left a positive impact on millions of people across the globe. Jimmy was a unique talent who has left an indelible mark on the global music industry. He also had diverse talents and was known for his mastery of Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Soul. We should not forget that Jimmy was also an accomplished actor," she added.

Jimmy Cliff's given name was James Chambers.

He was born July 30, 1944.

He was the recipient of Jamaica's third-highest national honour, the Order of Merit (OM).

In March 2019, in honour of Jimmy, the Government of Jamaica spearheaded the renaming ceremony of the Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay, St James.

In January 2021, the Government also presented Jimmy with an official passport in recognition of his status as a Reggae Ambassador.

Jimmy Cliff's outstanding contribution to Jamaica and the world was also specially recognised during Jamaica 55 celebrations.