Jamaican reagge icon, dies aged 81
Passing of a Reggae Icon
Jimmy Cliff, the legendary reggae singer behind classics like “Many Rivers to Cross,”
“You Can Get it If You Really Want,” and “Vietnam,” has died at 81.
His family said he passed after a “seizure followed by pneumonia,
” adding, “your support was his strength throughout his whole career.”
Rise to Global Stardom
Raised in poverty in Jamaica, Cliff became reggae’s first worldwide superstar.
Known for hits like “I Can See Clearly Now,” he helped shape the genre’s sound and identity.
He once said, “(Reggae) is a pure music… born of the poorer class of people.”
The Harder They Come
Cliff’s breakthrough came with the 1972 film The Harder They Come.
“Ivanhoe was a real-life character for Jamaicans,” he explained,
and the soundtrack—including “Sitting in Limbo”—became a reggae milestone.
Lasting Influence
Cliff earned multiple awards, collaborated with global stars, and inspired generations.
“It was a very frustrating time… I saw my hopes fading,” he said of writing “Many Rivers to Cross.”
His legacy remains foundational to reggae’s global rise.
