Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, the Grammy-winning musician best known for hits like “I Can See Clearly Now” and “The Harder They Come,” has died. He was 81.
His family confirmed his death in a statement “with profound sadness” on his Instagram page Monday, Nov. 24.
“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,” his family wrote in the statement.
Cliff died due to a seizure and pneumonia, his family shared in Monday’s statement. His family thanked “Dr. Couceyro and the whole medical staff” for being “extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process.”
Cliff, real name James Chambers, is hailed as one of Jamaica’s cultural icons alongside Bob Marley. He is best known for his hits “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want It,” and “I Can See Clearly Now.”
He was also an actor, starring in the 1972 movie “The Harder They Come” and contributing to its soundtrack and the title song. The song and film became highly regarded for expanding reggae’s global reach.
In his decades-long career, Cliff was recognized for his work in 2003 when he received one of the highest honors in Jamaica, the Order of Merit. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, being touted as “reggae’s first champion.”
He has won two Grammy Awards, including best reggae album for “Rebirth.” During a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Cliff spoke about the writing on the project.
“I grew up in a condition where I could’ve chosen to go either way – negatively or positively. So I kind of chose to go positive, and that stayed with me through my life,” he said. “I always have to have a positive outlook in whatever situation there is, and so it comes out in my music.”