Jimmy Cliff Earns 4th Platinum Certification in New Zealand with “Roots Woman”

The late great reggae legend secures his fourth Platinum certification in New Zealand as his 1983 single “Roots Woman” surpasses 30,000 units sold and streamed, adding to his growing list of Platinum-certified hits

Late reggae icon Jimmy Cliff has earned his fourth Platinum certification in New Zealand, as his 1983 single “Roots Woman” was officially certified Platinum by Recorded Music NZ, reflecting over 30,000 units sold and streamed as of May 7.

The track was featured on Cliff’s Grammy-nominated 1983 album The Power and the Glory. Written by Cliff himself, “Roots Woman” saw the reggae legend backed by his longtime band Oneness and was released through Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

The certification follows Cliff’s first Platinum plaque in New Zealand for his global hit “I Can See Clearly Now,” which achieved the milestone in 2023. Since then, classics such as “Reggae Night” and “Journey,” which also featured on The Power and the Glory have gone Platinum as well, further highlighting the enduring global impact of his catalog.

Cliff, who died in November 2025, was widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians and is credited with helping to popularize reggae music internationally through timeless hits, groundbreaking crossover success, and his influential role in films such as The Harder They Come.