Jamaican singer James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff, passed away at 81.

His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced is death in an Instagram post on Monday.

According to Latifa, Chambers’ death came after “a seizure followed by pneumonia.” 

She expressed deep gratitude to his family, friends, fellow artistes, and the medical team, saying their support carried him “throughout his whole career.” 

Latifa added that the love of his fans was “his strength” and asked for privacy.

Born on 30 July 1944, the songwriter adopted the name Jimmy Chamber in Kingston, where he started writing and recording. 

Over his long career, Chambers recorded more than 30 albums, exploring ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul and other styles. 

He also tackled being an actor and played the lead role in the 1972 film “The Harder They Come,” a drama that brought reggae and Jamaican street life together.

The film’s soundtrack featured two of his songs, “Many Rivers to Cross” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want.”

He also recorded a cover of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” which featured in the 1993 movie “Cool Runnings.”

His achievements earned him major honours like an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and Jamaica’s Order of Merit, one of the country’s highest cultural recognitions. 

In 2012, he released “Rebirth,” an album that won him a Grammy, and in 2022, he put out “Refugees,” a project deeply rooted in global humanitarian concerns.