James Chambers (1944-2025), most famously known as Jimmy Cliff, a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actor, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced that he died from pneumonia following hospitalization due to a seizure.
Born on July 30, 1944, in the Somerton district of St. James, Jamaica, Cliff's journey began in the church, singing gospel music. He started writing songs while still in primary school. At the tender age of 14, he adopted the stage name Jimmy Cliff upon moving to Kingston. His early career saw him achieve local fame with hits like "Hurricane Hattie", "King of Kings", "Dearest Beverley," "Miss Jamaica," and "Pride and Passion". In 1964, he was selected as one of Jamaica's representatives at the World's Fair in New York.
Cliff's international breakthrough came after he signed with Island Records and moved to the United Kingdom. His single "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" reached the top 10 of the British pop chart in 1969.
However, Jimmy Cliff's most iconic role was in the 1972 film "The Harder They Come," where he played Ivanhoe Martin, a singer who turns to a life of crime. The film, directed by Perry Henzell, became a cult classic and its soundtrack, featuring Cliff's title track, "Many Rivers to Cross," and "You Can Get It If You Really Want," is credited with bringing reggae to a global audience. Cliff himself came up with the line "the harder they come" during filming. The movie's title was then named after this line, prompting Cliff to write the theme song for it. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that Cliff’s music "lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today”.
Beyond "The Harder They Come," Cliff continued to release music and act. In 1994, his cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now," recorded for the film "Cool Runnings," reached the top 20 on Billboard's Hot 100. He won his first Grammy Award in 1986 for the album "Cliff Hanger" and a second in 2013 for "Rebirth". He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. The Jamaican government awarded Cliff the Order of Merit, the highest honor for achievements in the arts and sciences.
Cliff's influence extended beyond reggae, with artists like Bruce Springsteen covering his song "Trapped". Bob Dylan considered Cliff's song "Vietnam" to be the "greatest protest song ever written".
Jimmy Cliff was briefly a member of the Rastafari movement before converting to Islam. He is survived by his wife, Latifa, and their two children, Lilty and Aken. His legacy as a pioneer of reggae music and a cultural icon will endure.
