By Kehinde Okeowo
Jamaican reggae and soul musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actor, James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff, has passed away at the age of 81.
The family of the legendary musician announced his death on Monday on his official social media page.
His wife, LaTifa Chambers, wrote on Instagram: “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.”
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Jimmy Cliff was best known for songs including “Many Rivers to Cross” and “The Harder They Come,” the title song for the movie of the same name from 1972, which also featured him.
The film’s soundtrack was a major international success and did much to spread the appeal of Jamaican reggae.
Born in Jamaica in 1944, Cliff scored his first local hit aged just 14 with “Hurricane Hattie” and would go on to win two Grammy awards and pick up seven nominations.
He was only one of two Jamaicans to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Bob Marley.