Jimmy Cliff
1958–present
James Ezekiel Chambers (30 July 1944 – 24 November 2025), known professionally as Jimmy Cliff, was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul musician. He was considered to be one of Jamaica's most celebrated musicians and was credited with helping to popularise reggae music internationally. At the time of his death, he was the 4th reggae musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences. He was also nominated seven times for the Grammy Awards, winning twice.
Cliff starred in The Harder They Come (1972), the first major commercial film from Jamaica. The soundtrack helped to make reggae widely known. He was known for such songs as "Many Rivers to Cross", "If I Follow My Mind", "You Can Get It If You Really Want", "The Harder They Come", "Reggae Night", and his covers of Cat Stevens's "Wild World", Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" (from the Cool Runnings soundtrack) and "Hakuna Matata". Cliff was one of five performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. He was one of only two Jamaicans in the Hall of Fame, the other being Bob Marley.
Jimmy Cliff made deliberate, multifaceted efforts...
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Articles about Jimmy Cliff
Super Cat live in Rome!
The summer of 2015 has blessed Rome with a great amount of Jamaicans superstars, brought to the Italian capital by the Roma Red Hot Festival. Jimmy Cliff, Tarrus Riley, Romain Virgo, Alaine, Protoje, Sevana, Shaggy they all passed through the Festival, but it was the last day the one that left an indelible mark on the event, the extra special performance of the Don Dada himself, Super Cat.
Jimmy Cliff To return In 'Harder They Come' sequel
Forty-three years after playing the role of Ivanhoe 'Rhygin' Martin, in the iconic Jamaican crime film, The Harder They Come, legendary reggae artiste, Jimmy Cliff, is set to reprise the role in the upcoming sequel.
Reggae continues to inspire International musicians
The eccentric musician Rafter Roberts, hails from San Diego, California - a city that is no stranger to reggae culture. Artists like Jimmy Cliff, Etana and Raging Fyah are just a few of the Jamaican musicians who are frequent headliners at various shows and concerts hosted in the region. These artists are working hard to meet the demand for quality reggae acts, a market that is constantly growing, and usually find they must play alongside local acts that sometimes just don't make the cut.
Better Mus' Come reaches Netflix
With critics, film lovers and varied curious minds dubbing 'Better Mus' Come' a modern classic for Jamaican filmography, Netflix customers will have the opportunity to catch wind of the film often liken to the 1972 Jimmy Cliff-starred 'The Harder They Come' come November 11th.
Next Move: Barrington Levy readies acoustic album
A first in his musical journey, 50-year-old singjay Barrington Levy has begun work on an acoustic album; following recently released albums of the same nature from the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Tarrus Riley and Richie Spice.
Jimmy Cliff hits the road with '2013 Many Rivers Crossed Tour'
Slated to run from September 6th to the 29th, Reggae icon Jimmy Cliff will visit several U.S. cities on his 2013 Many Rivers Crossed Tour, in what is expected to be riddled with intimate performances as he opens up about varying stories behind some of his biggest hits.
Vinyl & Discography — Jimmy Cliff
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