The world of music has lost one of its most influential voices. Jimmy Cliff, the legendary Jamaican singer, songwriter, and actor born James Chambers, has passed away after a remarkable career spanning over six decades. His death has sent waves of mourning through the Jamaican diaspora in New York and music communities worldwide.
A Pioneer Who Introduced Reggae to the World
Jimmy Cliff stood alongside Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh as one of the pioneering forces that brought reggae music and Jamaican culture to the international stage. His timeless anthems—”The Harder They Come,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want”—became the soundtrack to millions of lives across generations and continents.
U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, daughter of Jamaican immigrants, captured the magnitude of the loss: “We were fortunate to have Jimmy with us for all these decades. You always feel the gravity of the loss of an icon of this magnitude.”
Clarke praised Cliff as a true ambassador for Jamaica who elevated both the nation and reggae music onto the world stage. “People here in the U.S. are feeling the loss,” she noted, adding that “The Harder They Come” remains one of her all-time favorite songs.
Personal Tributes from Those Who Knew Him
The tributes reflect not just Cliff’s musical genius, but his personal impact on those fortunate enough to know him.
New York attorney Merrick J. Dammar, Esq., who shared a close bond with the icon, revealed that Cliff was godfather to his son Markhus and the first entertainer to perform at his Emandee Acres property in upstate New York. In a remarkable gesture of trust and friendship, Cliff gifted Dammar his first guitar years ago, telling him: “Bob Marley’s guitar is with me. Mine is with you. Take good care of her, she made me famous.”
“There will forever be a part of Jimmy that will resonate and remain with my family for time to come,” Dammar said, adding: “Rest my brother… you have crossed your last river leaving us with the reminder that we live in a WONDERFUL WORLD WITH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.”
A Source of Inspiration and Strength
For many, Cliff’s music provided more than entertainment—it offered guidance and motivation through life’s challenges.
Business entrepreneur Michael Williams, CEO of the Outside Lounge summer lime and Eye Collection clothing brand, reflected on the profound influence of “You Can Get It If You Really Want” on his life: “It was the soundtrack of my life; that’s why I’m always trying. As the song says, ‘you must try, try and try, you’ll succeed at last.’ I will not stop trying.”
Kerith Mair, CEO of Dumpling Cove restaurant in the Bronx, recalled an electrifying performance by Cliff at MetroTech in Brooklyn that left an indelible impression. “No other performer has left that kind of memory on me,” he shared. “Every once in a while, someone passes through this earth that makes the earth a little better… That’s how I see Jimmy Cliff.”
A Legacy That Transcends Music
Jamaican reggae ambassador Richie Stephens, who will be performing at the upcoming Jamaica Strong benefit concert, called Cliff “a national treasure and an icon” who taught the industry about both performance and professionalism. “Jimmy Cliff is a pioneer, somebody that we truly love and admire throughout the years. Reggae music has certainly lost one of our greatest ever. Jimmy is gone but will never be forgotten.”
Musicologist Winston “Stan” Smith emphasized Cliff’s role in shaping Jamaica’s cultural identity: “Like brand Jamaica, his musical accomplishments punched above his weight. The world knew and loved the rich tapestry of Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae because of Jimmy Cliff.”
From Somerton to the World Stage
Born in Somerton, St. James, Jimmy Cliff’s journey from rural Jamaica to global superstardom is the stuff of legend. His starring role in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come” and its iconic soundtrack ignited worldwide interest in reggae and Jamaican culture. His music carried messages of resilience, hope, and social consciousness that resonated across all boundaries.
Among his crowning achievements were his 2010 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and receiving the Order of Merit from the Government of Jamaica—recognitions that cemented his place among music’s immortals.
A Voice That Will Echo Forever
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke spoke for countless fans when she expressed the collective determination to preserve Cliff’s legacy: “From the people of the 9th Congressional District of New York… we express our profound condolences. He leaves a legacy for all of us to cherish, and it is our goal to make sure the name Jimmy Cliff resonates for generations to come.”
As tributes continue to pour in from every corner of the globe, one truth stands unshakeable: Jimmy Cliff didn’t just make music—he made history. Though he has crossed his “last river,” his voice, his spirit, and his uplifting message of perseverance and hope will continue to inspire generations yet to come.
Rest in power, Jimmy Cliff. You showed us all that we can get it if we really want.
