Death of Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff
The Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff, a reggae legend born James Chambers, has passed away from pneumonia at the age of 81, as announced by his family on their Instagram account on Monday.
"Jimmy, my darling, rest in peace. I will honor your wishes. I hope you can respect our privacy during these difficult times," read a message signed by his wife, Latifa.
"To all his fans around the world, know that your support has been his strength throughout his career. He truly appreciated each of his fans for their love," she added.
"Further information will be provided later" regarding his funeral arrangements.
The internationally renowned artist, although he never quite reached the career heights that some had predicted, is known for global hits like "Many Rivers to Cross," "The Harder They Come," and "Reggae Night."
In 2010, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
However, he never reached the pinnacle of reggae stardom achieved by Bob Marley.
"The first time I recorded a record," the singer recounted to the French newspaper Le Monde in 2012, "I was given 1 shilling. The Wailers (Marley's band) were luckier than me at Studio One; they got 2 pounds a week."
Born in July 1944 into modest circumstances, he was always drawn to various musical influences - soul, ska, funk, punk, folk - while maintaining a politically engaged message.
"I was inspired by the London riots (in 2011), but also by the Arab Spring," he specified in the same interview with Le Monde, also addressing "social injustices, religious hypocrisy, and political cliques."
Over the years, he collaborated with groups like The Clash, Kool and the Gang, Sting, Annie Lennox, and also French artist Bernard Lavilliers. He worked multiple times in film, notably for "The Harder They Come" and "Rasta Rocket."
"Jimmy Cliff is a paradox of Jamaican music. Recognized since his ska period, the first reggae artist signed to Island, an actor and singer (...), author of numerous global hits, a star in Latin America and Africa," he also remained "an underappreciated figure in reggae due to his 'variety,' 'mainstream' image and his embrace of stardom, far removed from the usual Rasta imagery - as he is not actually one," writes the Universal France label on its website.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, stated that the island nation "is taking a pause" to honor Cliff, "a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world."
"His music uplifted people during tough times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today," he added.
"Walk well, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy endures in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people."