Photo: Thesupermat / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Jimmy Cliff is genuinely one of those artists who earned his legendary status the hard way — not through hype, but by simply being undeniable for decade after decade. Growing up in Saint James Parish, Jamaica, he became one of the first voices to carry reggae beyond the island and into the global mainstream, and the 1972 film The Harder They Come sealed that deal in the most iconic way possible. What I love about him is the sheer range: "Many Rivers to Cross" is as soulful and emotionally raw as anything recorded in that era, full stop. Two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album, Jamaica's Order of Merit, and a 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction — the resume speaks for itself, but more than the trophies, it's the warmth and conviction in his voice that keeps pulling you back in.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Jimmy Cliff
- Name (Japanese)
- ジミー・クリフ
- Reading
- じみー・くりふ
- Born
- July 30, 1944 (age 81)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Monkey
- Origin
- Saint James Parish, Jamaica
- Occupation
- singer / songwriter / recording artist / composer / record producer
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1986 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album
- 2013 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album
- 2003 Order of Merit
- 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Many Rivers to Cross | — | |
| Notable work | The Harder They Come | — | |
| Notable work | Reggae Night | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Jimmy Cliff born?
Born July 30, 1944 (age 81).
Where is Jimmy Cliff from?
Jimmy Cliff is from Saint James Parish, Jamaica.
What does Jimmy Cliff do?
Jimmy Cliff works as singer, songwriter, recording artist, composer, record producer.
What is Jimmy Cliff known for?
Notable works include Many Rivers to Cross, The Harder They Come, Reggae Night.
Singer — see all → · Songwriter — see all → · More people from Jamaica →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.