One of the major factors in bringing Reggae music across the globe, and a major force in the genre since the 1960s has passed, as Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81.
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Through the film he wrote and starred in, The Harder They Come, to his massive catalog, Cliff helped popularize Reggae music and opened doors for artists around the world.
The news of Cliff's passing came from his wife, Latifa Chambers, who shared a message on social media Monday morning. "It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia," she wrote on Cliff's official Instagram account. "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," she added. "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."
Beyond his own career, Cliff was instrumental in the start of Bob Marley's music career, as he was many other artists. He won two GRAMMY awards, including one for his work on Rebirth, which won the GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album in 2013.