Tributes have been flowing in abundance since news broke of the passing of legendary reggae singer Jimmy Cliff.

The veteran, whose given name was James Chambers, died on Monday after a battle with illness. He was 81.

The tragic news reverberated through the local and international entertainment fraternity, with many flooding social media with messages of gratitude in honour of the singer’s iconic musical journey and his contributions to the globalisation of reggae music.

Tessanne Chin, in her tribute, described the late singer as one whose quiet yet commanding presence was filled with purpose. Chin, who met Jimmy Cliff when she was just 18 years old, has often credited the singer for helping to mould her talent. She shared that, as a student of the ‘Jimmy Cliff University’, her life changed immensely after he took a chance on her and offered her a spot on his team of touring vocalists.

“Thank you for taking that chance. I always laugh and say that, because of you, my passport was filled with stamps from countries I didn’t even know existed. I remember being on a tour bus for the very first time and thinking, ‘Girl! You are so lucky to be here… and you’re getting paid,’ “ she posted to her social media. “I am proud to say I stood on a stage with you… You changed my life and gave me a shot, and I will be forever grateful.”

The estate of late reggae legend Bob Marley also posted a tribute of their own on social media. Revealing that Marley had a deep love for the icon, anchored in gratitude, the release noted that Jimmy Cliff was “an instrumental figure in Bob’s coming up, having brought him to producer Leslie Kong in 1962 to record his very first singles, Judge Not and One Cup Of Coffee.

Sally Henzell, wife of late film-maker Perry Henzell, was still coming to grips with the news when the Jamaica Observer contacted her. The Henzell family shared a deep connection with Cliff, with whom they maintained a good relationship up until his passing. It was Sally’s husband who cast him as Ivan in the film The Harder They Come, a project that has gained global recognition.

She told the Observer that, as he did in life, so it has been in his passing, as she simply listened to Cliff’s songs all day in his honour.

“It was very hard to hear [of his passing]. I put his songs on and just devoted my day to him. He sang me through it,” she said. “
The Harder They Come was a resounding global success that continues to transcend time. People will always think of Jimmy in that role, and it will always be a lasting part of his legacy for sure.”

Her son Jason, who in October revealed plans to take to Jamaica The Harder They Come, A Musical, now showing in the United Kingdom, said it was hard to put into words the devastating loss. He said he was only three years old when his father made the iconic film, but said he grew to understand just how historic the movie was.

While a specific timeline for taking the musical adaptation to Jamaica was not set, Jason said the musical’s début on local soil would be a glorious celebration of the island’s culture as well as the film’s legacy.

Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange, in her tribute, said Jamaica and the world lost one of the greatest proponents of Jamaican music and a film pioneer.

“He gave so much of his life to delivering music which had a peculiar and relevant message and resonated in every corner of the globe. Jimmy Cliff is no doubt a pioneer of music and must also be appropriately hailed as a legend of our time,” her statement read.

Jimmy Cliff was honoured on several occasions throughout his lifetime by the Government of Jamaica. In March 2019 the Government spearheaded the renaming of the MoBay Hip Strip to Jimmy Cliff Boulevard. And in January 2021, the Government also presented him with an official passport in recognition of his status as a reggae ambassador. His outstanding contribution to Jamaica and the world was also specially recognised during the Jamaica 55 celebrations. Jimmy Cliff was first vested with the Order of Distinction (Officer) for services in the field of entertainment in 1973. Later is received Jamaica’s third-highest national honour, the Order of Merit (OM).

Other tributes came from the likes of Inner Circle, Steel Pulse, Bounty Killer, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Etana, Capleton, Maxi Priest, Cham, Spragga Benz, as well as international media outlets including the Today Show, Good Morning America, ABC News, CNN, and Roling Stone magazine.