"Jimmy CLIFF (1944-2025) Jamaican Reggae Music Performer" Amadou Bal BA

«Jimmy CLIFF (1944-2025) Jamaican reggae music songwriter, composer, and performer. A global star committed to Justice, Love, and the Happiness of Hope. In Memoriam» par Amadou Bal BA –

When I think of Bob MARLEY, Peter TOSH, and now, in particular, Jimmy CLIFF, I say loudly and clearly that Africans and their diasporas, despite the slanders and vomit of our time, did not come into the world empty-handed. Our contribution to music, the arts, and sports, for a better world of harmony and mutual respect, is invaluable. Music, a heartfelt confession, brings everyone together, regardless of our origins or social status. He recorded the song "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King because he is connected to his ancestral African values. "If I agreed to take part in recording this soundtrack, it’s because the lion represents a symbol deeply linked to my culture, both Jamaican and African. The king of animals embodies strength and authority. In Jamaica, where the system is particularly unfair, one needs to have the courage of a lion to survive. Africa is the land of my ancestors and the cradle of humanity. Therefore, I feel a visceral connection to this continent," he tells Africa International.

Jamaica is not just about those clichés: rum, coconut, sun, and marijuana; it is a country of great, high-flying artists with profound depth. Indeed, Jimmy Cliff is a gentle dreamer for a harmonious society. In 1974, his first major tour in Africa was to Nigeria. The singer Fela Ramson Kuti welcomed him. His greatest flaw is generosity, and his best memory is a concert in 1980 in South Africa, four years after the Soweto massacre, where he gathered 55,000 people and restored hope in the fight against Apartheid. "I find that the earth is a paradise if you are at peace with yourself. I wish everyone the light that allows them to accept themselves and better understand the meaning of their life, the love for others, and for themselves," he tells Africa International. Jimmy CLIFF has always maintained a deep connection with Africa, which he considered the land of his roots. After Sierra Leone, he came to Senegal in June 2004 and visited Gorée Island, a major site of memory for slavery. "Singing in Africa is always something exceptional for me. It's a part of my history. Slavery means that from the start, your belonging to the human race is denied," he says.

Jimmy CLIFF, whose real name is James CHAMBERS, was born on July 30, 1944, in Jamaica, into a modest family of seven children. "According to my mother, I was born in Summer Town, a village in the northwest of Jamaica. My mother was a housewife, my father was a tailor, then a farmer. I have two brothers and an older sister," he says. As a child, he went barefoot, to the river, digging up yams, picking fruits; this physical connection with nature, in an underprivileged family, led him to a physical relationship with nature. He grew up in a family with great religious fervor, while maintaining a critical distance. He died on November 24, 2025, and was married to Latifa CHAMBERS. He had three children. "In hindsight, I understand the immense value of family, its decisive role in my life, and its role as the glue in my balance. My family means the most to me," he says. The boxer, Mohamed ALI, is, for him, an inexhaustible source of inspiration. But it is his father who is one of his great mentors. "My first inspiration, I owe it to my father, who was constantly singing. At the end of meals, the whole family would keep time with makeshift instruments. Reggae expresses the sorrows and joys of humanity. The cries of those who lack justice, equality, and love, and the happiness given by hope," he tells Africa International.

Musician and film actor, Jimmy CLIFF embodies a universal approach to music as a vehicle for unity, love, freedom, and inspiration, where each piece carries a strong and timeless message. Jimmy CLIFF is constantly fighting for justice, for a harmonious society. "I find that the earth is a paradise if one is at peace with oneself. I wish everyone the light that allows one to accept oneself and better understand the meaning of their life, the love of others, and of oneself," he says to Africa International. Indeed, beyond the festive aspect, dreadlocks, and the 'cool' factor, reggae, coming from underprivileged Afro-descendant communities in Jamaica, has in some respects a highly political dimension, advocating for a new order based on brotherhood and justice. "Music works to foster support or refusal, commitments, and rebellions that are likely to take on an immediately political character," writes Denis MARTIN. Jamaica has given birth to men of great value, like Marcus GARVEY, who left a powerful political, cultural, and musical legacy in this country. "The essence of my music is struggle. What gives it the finishing touch is the hope of love," he had said.

Pioneer of reggae, but not wearing dreadlocks, a charismatic and radiant artist with a soft voice, Jimmy CLIFF started music in 1961, before Bob MARLEY (1945-1981). When they met, and thanks to his support, Bob MARLEY released three albums in collaboration with his producer. Indeed, his career began when he left the countryside by bus for the capital, Kingston, where he met the percussionist, singer, and songwriter, a Rastafarian, Oswald WILLIAMS known as Count OSSIE (1926-1976), with whom he recorded the skas “Daisy Got Me Crazy” and “I'm Sorry” for Sir CAVALIER's sound system. At the end of 1961, he offered a few songs to Leslie KONG, including the track “Dearest Beverley”. Jimmy CLIFF, due to his long experience and great creativity, is a fulfilled artist. "I have reached most of the goals I had set for myself. I am proud of the path I have already traveled. At first, I was emotional seeing my name on the cover of a record and being at the top of the charts in Jamaica. I dreamt of a world tour. I have achieved all these goals. But my greatest joy is helping people to have a positive outlook on life," he said in 1995 to Africa International.

Jimmy CLIFF has sometimes been a victim of racism. "When I went swimming in the river with my mixed-race friends, some considered themselves superior to me because of the color of my skin. At that time, it made me sick. Since then, I’ve mostly encountered this problem in England; when I go there, I’ve seen doors close because of my origins. Once again, ignorance and religion are definite causes of racism," he tells Africa International. Indeed, in 1964, in London, Jimmy CLIFF experienced brutal racism, "like when my landlady found out I was Black. Chris Blackwell (famous British producer) had rented the apartment for me. When the landlady saw me, she gave me twenty-four hours to leave. 'We don’t rent to Black people!'," he said in 2011 to François BARRAS of Culture magazine. However, meeting Cat STEVENS or Bruce SPRINGSTEEN allowed him to reach a higher level as well as a wider audience. In this sense, meeting the Londoner Chris BLACKWELL, founder of Island Records, was decisive for his musical career. “Chris showed me how to open my first bank account in England, and he also taught me how to run a business. When Island moved to Notting Hill, they only had a large room with a round table around which all the phones were placed. I thought that was amazing: everyone could see each other, talk, and interact. It made me understand the importance of closeness and human contact in the business world. I also gained confidence. He saw in me what I see in myself, and the fact that he told me 'I believe in you, come to England' was very important for my self-esteem,” he says.

Jimmy CLIFF popularized reggae through cinema, which has now become a worldwide music genre. Indeed, the 1972 film "The Harder They Come" allowed him to become one of Jamaica's most beloved singers and gain greater visibility. "The Harder They Come" is a film starring Jimmy CLIFF that popularized reggae, in which he plays Ivanhoé Martin, a character inspired by a real Jamaican criminal of the same name, better known as Vincent, Ivanhoe also known as Rhuyng Martin or Rude Boy (1924-1948), a highly popular Trenchtown gang leader who was killed by the police. In this straightforward, poetic, and desperate film, the hero, Ivan, a young man from the countryside, arrives in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, dreaming of becoming a singer. After many setbacks, he gets an audition with a big producer and records for 20 dollars, the famous "The Harder They Come." Outraged by his meager pay, he refuses to let his record be released. But unemployment is rampant, and things get tough for Ivan, who, driven by hunger, becomes a marijuana dealer. The film, with a sociological and political dimension, depicts the sordid and colorful life of the slums, social inequality and unemployment, the repressive role of religion, the exploitation of the local show business, and police corruption; everything is covered, set against a reggae backdrop, of course. "As an actor, you have to become someone else. What I like the most is stepping out of myself, becoming someone else," he says.

Jimmy CLIFF, one of the most prolific and innovative Jamaican artists, with the longest music career, has been hailed as the first true reggae superstar. A legend on the international reggae scene, known for his luminous voice, humanitarian message, and profound influence on several generations of listeners and musicians, Jimmy CLIFF has released iconic records such as "The Harder They Come," "Many Rivers to Cross," and "You Can Get It If You Really Want." He won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album twice: in 1986 for "Cliff Hanger," and in 2013 for "Rebirth." Jimmy CLIFF a su captiver le public grâce à son charisme, sa sincérité et son talent exceptionnel de conteur musical. Son style allie reggae authentique, soul émotive et engagement spirituel, offrant des chansons où espoir, émotion et conscience sociale se conjuguent de manière inoubliable. Il est très attaché à la dignité de l’Homme «Je préférerais être un homme libre dans ma tombe que de vivre comme une marionnette ou un esclave. Alors, aussi sûrement que le soleil brillera, je vais obtenir ma part maintenant, ce qui m'appartient, et plus ils frappent fort, plus la chute sera dure», chante-t-il. Jimmy CLIFF cultivait cette relation de qualité «Il y a tellement de choses plus importantes dans la vie que l'argent, mais il faut tellement d'argent pour les acquérir. Les choses les plus importantes de notre vie ne sont pas extraordinaires ni grandioses. Ce sont les moments où nous nous sentons touchés l'un par l'autre», dit-il.

In 2010, Jimmy CLIFF was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "I grew up listening to rock and roll, apart from our indigenous music in Jamaica. Music is about being inspired," he said. Upon his death, the Prime Minister of Jamaica paid a heartfelt tribute "to the true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world. His music lifted people during difficult times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today. Walk well, Jimmy Cliff. Your legacy lives on in every corner of our island and in the hearts of the Jamaican people," said Andrew HOLNESS. Jimmy "has finally crossed the last river. Rest in peace Jimmy, your music will live on forever," said the British band U2.

Bibliographic References

A – Interviews with Jimmy CLIFF

CLIFF (Jimmy), «Interview. Roi Lion, mystique et magique», Africa International, juin, juillet, août 1995, pages 41-42 ;

CLIFF (Jimmy), «Interview accordée à François Barras», Culture, entretien de 2011, rediffusé le 24 novembre 2025.

 B –  Others References

KATZ (David), Jimmy CLIFF, Londres, Macmillan, 2011, 262 pages ;

MARTIN (Denis), Aux sources du reggae, musique, société et politique en Jamaïque, Roquevaire, éditions Parenthèses, 1982, 186 pages ;

NPR Staff, «Jimmy Cliff on Career : Rebirth and the Nature of Success», NPR Music, 3 août 2012 ;

RICK (Robert, M.), Reggae Giants : The Stories of Four Legends (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots Hibert and Jimmy Cliffs), 2025, 98 pages ;

WILSON (Lois), «Jimmy Cliff Remembered», Mojo, 24 novembre 2025, n°224.

Paris, November 24, 2025, par Amadou Bal BA