Global sorrow has been caused by the news of the death of Jimmy Cliff, one of the most important representatives of reggae music, at the age of 81. The legendary singer and songwriter, who since the 1960s played a key role in spreading the sound of Jamaica around the world, passed away following an epileptic seizure that came after pneumonia, as his wife, Latifa Chambers, announced on social media.

“With deep sadness, I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has passed away,” she wrote emotionally. “I thank the family, friends, artists and collaborators who travelled with him all these years. To his fans around the world, your support was his strength.” The message was also signed by their children, Lilti and Aken.

Born in 1948 as James Chambers, Cliff grew up in conditions of extreme poverty in Saint James, Jamaica. From an early age he showed his inclination for singing, beginning to sing in church at the age of six. At 14 he moved to Kingston and adopted the stage name “Cliff,” expressing his dream of reaching “the top.”

His career took off with his first number one hit in Jamaica, “Hurricane Hattie,” while in 1965 he moved to London to collaborate with Island Records. International success came in 1969 with the optimistic “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” and “Vietnam,” which Bob Dylan described as “the best protest song ever written.”

In 1972 he achieved worldwide fame with his starring role in The Harder They Come, portraying the rebel Ivan Martin. The film, considered a cornerstone of Jamaican cinema, is recognized as the work that introduced reggae to American audiences. “The film opened the door for Jamaica,” he had said.

Throughout his long career, Cliff released dozens of albums, won Grammy Awards for Cliff Hanger (1985) and Rebirth (2012), and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. His influence was decisive, as with his sweet, distinctive voice and politically charged compositions he shaped the global sound of reggae.

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