Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican music and film star, dies at 81 ^{CEFR B2}

Jimmy Cliff, born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in Somerton, St. James, died on November 24, 2025, at 81. His wife Latifa announced on social media that he died of pneumonia after a seizure. Cliff was widely regarded as one of Jamaica's leading cultural figures and was the only living musician to hold the Order of Merit.

He moved to Kingston at 14, sang in church and studied radio and television while entering talent contests. His early local success included the song "Hurricane Hattie" at age 17. Chris Blackwell of Island Records brought him to England; his international debut Hard Road to Travel (1967) featured "Waterfall", a hit in Brazil. Later international successes included "Wonderful World, Beautiful People", "Vietnam" and a Top Ten UK cover of "Wild World".

Cliff recorded more than 30 albums, the last being 2022's Refugees, inspired by humanitarian crises. He won Reggae Grammy Awards for Cliff Hanger and Rebirth; Rebirth was also noted for winning a Grammy for Best Reggae Album and for appearing in Rolling Stone's list of best albums. His starring role as Ivan in the low-budget 1972 film The Harder They Come, and its soundtrack—featuring artists such as Desmond Dekker and Toots and the Maytals—helped make him a global cultural force. The soundtrack entered the US Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2021 and Rolling Stone named it the third greatest soundtrack in 2024.

After his death, tributes came from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Kingston's mayor Andrew Swaby and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. Musicians and commentators, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Ali Campbell and Wayne Chen, praised his wide influence beyond reggae and his blend of social themes with hope and resistance.