Two-time Reggae Grammy winner, the iconic Jimmy Cliff, says he is gearing up to push out some new music for his fans.
The 71-year-old made the announcement in an Instagram video a few days ago. He also thanked those who supported his recently-completed 2019 tour, which spanned a long list of concerts across the UK and Switzerland, as well as Germany and France.
“This little video is to thank from the bottom of our heart all our fans for their support and their love as well as all the people who participated actively in the success of our 2019 tour. It is also the occasion to announce to you that we are in the process to work on new music. See you soon. Bless you. JC and his band,” Cliff captioned the post.
“I want to thank you all for your love and your support that you’ve given me on my last tour. Let me tell you I have some new music coming out I can’t say exactly when but most likely next year. I look forward to that,” Cliff said in the video.
Jimmy Cliff was the first Jamaican solo act to win a Grammy award back in 1986, a year after the Black Uhuru Reggae group won the first Reggae Grammy, for their album dubbed Anthem.
The seven-time Grammy nominee took home the Best Reggae Recording at the Grammys in 1986 for his international breakthrough album Cliffhanger, and also the Best Reggae Album award, for his album Rebirth, in 2013.
Cliffhanger, which featured 10 tracks, included some of his most popular hits including Hitting with Music, Brown Eyes and Hot Shot.
Cliff, who was born James Chambers in Somerton, St. James in 1948, was instrumental in introducing Jamaican music to an international audience, made partially possible through his lead role in the landmark film The Harder They Come, which was shot in Jamaica in 1972 and directed by Perry Henzel.
He starred as Ivanhoe Martin, a poor country boy who relocates to Kingston, and after failing to be successful in the recording business, turns to a life of crime, becomes a wanted man and finally dies on the beach in a shoot-out with law enforcers.
The musical maestro began writing songs while still a primary school student, and recorded his first hit hurricane Hattie, at only 17 years old, with the help of producer Leslie Kong. He was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World’s Fair back in 1964, and not too long after, signed to Island Records and moved to the UK.
Cliff has been presented with many accolades over the years including the Jamaican Order of Merit, the nation’s third-highest honor, in recognition of his contributions to film and music. He was also officially announced as an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Earlier this year the Government of Jamaica honored the icon by renaming the Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay the Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.
