Jimmy Cliff 1944-2025: He ‘Appreciated His Fans’ -Wife, Latifa Chambers
“He really appreciated each and every fan for their love,” Latifa Chambers, wife of Reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff wrote as she announced the passing of the the Reggae maestro at the age of 81.
Born in Somerton District of St James, Jamaica, on July 30, 1944, as James Chambers, Jimmy Cliff as he is artistically known was one of one of the musicians that internationalised Reaggae music.
Majority of Cliff’s music dwelled heavily on racism, black resistance and the joy of reggae culture,as he advanced he also touched on other socio-political issues later in a sterling career that secured seven Grammy Awards nominations and won two.
In an emotional announcement on Monday, his wife, Latifa wrote:
“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.
“I also wanted to thank Dr. Couceyro and the whole medical staff, as they have been extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process. Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace.
“I will follow your wishes. I hope you all can respect our privacy during these hard times. Further information will be provided at a later date.
See you and we see you Legend.
Latifa , Lilty and Aken.”
Jimmy Cliff drew inspiration from musicians such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Fats Domino and Jimi Hendrix and would go on to collaborate with artists including The Clash, Kool and the Gang, Sting and Annie Lennox.
He bestrode the Reggae scene majestically as he shared the reggae legends list with the greats, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and the Maytals’
He was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Through out his lifetime, aside being an iconic international artist, Jimmy Cliff was reputed to be a fine gentleman and family man. His marriage with Latifa was blessed with two children, a daughter and a son, Lilty and Aken respectively.
One of the best known song-writers of all times, Bob Dylan described Cliff’s 1969 hit “Vietnam” as the “best protest song” he had ever heard.
In 1972 Cliff reached a new level of fame when he starred in the 1972 crime film “The Harder They Come” as a young Jamaican reggae singer who dreams of stardom but struggles to get his music heard.
Speaking to a British newspaper in 2022 on his rise to fame as a black artist, Cliff said, “ in those days there were few of us African descendants who came through the cracks to get any kind of recognition.“
Speaking further, he said, “It was easier in music than movies. But when you start to see your face and name on the side of the buses in London that was like: wow, what’s going on? Reggae music was still considered a novelty.”
Some of Cliff’’s best known songs include:
“If I Follow My Mind”
“You Can Get It If You Really Want“,
“Reggae Night“,
Cat Stevens‘s “Wild World“,
Johnny Nash‘s “I Can See Clearly Now”
