Cover of the soundtrack album that made Jimmy Cliff an international phenomenon
Jimmy Cliff, the reggae great whose lead role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come made him an international star and helped propel the Jamaican genre into the mainstream, died this morning, Nov. 24, 2025. The film’s soundtrack included four recordings by Cliff, all of which became staples of the genre: the title song, “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Sitting in Limbo” and the ballad “Many Rivers to Cross.” Cliff was 81.
Cliff’s wife, Latifa Chambers, issued the following statement announcing his death: “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”
Cliff’s place of death has not been reported as of yet.
Jimmy Cliff (Photo from his Instagram page)
Born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in St. James, Jamaica, Cliff began writing songs as a child and made his first recording at age 14. At 17, his song “Hurricane Hattie,” produced by Leslie Kong, became a hit. In 1964, Cliff, along with several other Jamaican singers, came to New York to represent his country at the World’s Fair. In 1967, after moving to the U.K. and signing to Island Records, he released his debut album, Hard Road to Travel. His 1968 single “Vietnam,” released the following year, gave Cliff his first chart hit in the U.K. “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” released the following year, made the top 10 there and also put Cliff on the map in the U.S., where it reached #25 on the Billboard singles chart.
In 1972, Cliff starred as Ivan Martin, an aspiring reggae singer who becomes a gangster, in The Harder They Come, directed by Perry Henzel. The soundtrack album peaked at #140 in the U.S. but its popularity grew in subsequent years, as did that of the film itself, which became a cult classic. In addition to Cliff’s four songs, the soundtrack included several other numbers that are now recognized as cornerstones of reggae, among them the Maytals’ “Pressure Drop” and “Sweet and Dandy,” the Slickers’ “Johnny Too Bad,” Desmond Dekker’s “Shanty Town” and the Melodians’ “Rivers of Babylon.”
Among Cliff’s other hits was his 1969 cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World,” a top 10 hit in several countries, including the U.K.; “Reggae Night,” in 1983; and his 1993 cover of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.” His 2012 album Rebirth became his last to chart in the U.S., reaching #76 on Billboard’s LPs chart but topping the publication’s reggae chart. The LP won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album.
Related: The story behind Desmond Dekker’s “Israelites”
In 1976, Cliff sang on Saturday Night Live during the program’s first season, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Cliff was mourned by many fellow musicians.
RIP Jimmy Cliff.
So very sad to hear that the music icon and original reggae superstar, Jimmy Cliff has died aged 81.
He finally crossed over the last river.
RIP Jimmy, your music will live forever. pic.twitter.com/C9995PiWbw— UB40 (@UB40OFFICIAL) November 24, 2025
Jimmy Cliff’s music carried hope, resistance, and joy across generations. From « The Harder They Come » to « Many Rivers to Cross », he changed music, not only reggae forever. His songs will keep guiding us for many rivers to come.
Tracy and Jimmy never recorded a duet… pic.twitter.com/wMjECxoPXw
— Tracy Chapman (@tchapmanonline) November 24, 2025
Very sad news, bless @jimmycliff
I made an album with him Jimmy in Kingston, Jamaica – a song called ‘Peace Officer’ among others xx pic.twitter.com/k5Yq118p9a— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) November 24, 2025
From Yusuf/Cat Stevens: “Jimmy Cliff was a powerful presence in my life – he always seemed to be there at crucial stages on my journey. We had success together in the early days with Wild World, we bumped into each other by strange and wonderful coincidence on pilgrimage in Mecca, and we also connected at the Mandela 46664 concert that marked my return to mainstream music. GOD BLESS HIM, his songs always had some message of peace – may he find it now and forever.”
This is what iconic looks like!
This is what legendary looks like !! RIP Jimmy Cliff pic.twitter.com/3ROC4gl0bM— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) November 24, 2025
In a lengthy tribute, Maxi Priest wrote in part, “The world has lost one of its greatest artists of all time — singer, songwriter, actor. The legend, the icon, a national treasure of Jamaica. A true pioneer who carved the road, carried the torch that lit the path for so many of us to walk. From the early 60s straight to this day, Jimmy Cliff carried Jamaica on his shoulders, uniting the world through music, opening doors, breaking barriers, and inspiring generations.”
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