Jimmy Cliff, the renowned singer largely credited with introducing Jamaican music to an international audience, has died. He was 81. The BBC has reported that the singer-songwriter cum actor was one of the most renowned figures in reggae music. He rose to fame in the 1960s, and some of his most famous tracks include Wonderful World, Beautiful People, and You Can Get It If You Really Want. He also famously starred in the 1972 crime drama The Harder They Come, which, according to the outlet, is an iconic piece in Jamaican cinema. The movie is largely regarded as the one that introduced reggae to America. Jimmy Cliff's life and legacy explored as his wife announces his demise: Jimmy Cliff's wife, Latifa Chambers, issued a statement on Instagram confirming his demise. “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. 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 … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.” Her message was also signed by their children, Lilty and Aken. The Guardian has reported that Cliff is one of the handful of artists alongside Bob Marley to be honored with the Jamaican Order of Merit. He was born James Chambers in 1948 to parents with eight other children. The BBC has reported that he was raised with modest means in St. James, Jamaica. He began singing at his local church at the age of six, though by 14, he'd shifted to Kingston and adopted the moniker that he would later be known by. In 1965, he made his way to London, where he began working with Island Records, which also later housed Bob Marley. His 1969 single, Wonderful World, Beautiful People, was a massive hit, with Bob Dylan referring to it as "the best protest song ever written." The Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holmes, also regarded Jimmy Cliff as a “true cultural giant”.He penned: “Today, Jamaica pauses to honour the life of the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM, a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world. Through timeless songs like Many Rivers to Cross, The Harder They Come, You Can Get It If You Really Want, and Sitting in Limbo, Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul.His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today. We give thanks for his life, his contribution, and the pride he brought to Jamaica.” In 1972, he acted as Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin in the crime film The Harder They Come. He wrote the songs You Can Get it if You Really Want and Many Rivers To Cross for the film, and they went on to become international hits after the film's release. "The film opened the door for Jamaica," Cliff recalled, per BBC. "It said, 'This is where this music comes from.'" Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.