Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and Grammy-winner, dies at 84: Trump, Obama pay tribute

Jesse Jackson, the towering civil rights leader whose voice shaped generations of social justice movements, and whose recorded work earned him a Grammy, has died at 84, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, musicians, activists, and cultural institutions across the world.

Jackson, who had battled the neurodegenerative condition progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) for more than a decade, died at home. He was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017 before the PSP diagnosis. He was surrounded by his family at the time of death.

Jesse Jackson’s Grammy win

While Jackson was globally celebrated for his decades-long fight against racial injustice, voter suppression, and economic inequality, his cultural impact also extended into music and spoken-word recording, where he used rhythm, cadence, and sermon-like delivery to turn political resistance into powerful auditory experiences. His work culminated in a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 1989, recognising his ability to translate protest, faith, and political consciousness into compelling recorded art. The track, “Speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson [July 27th],” appeared on Aretha Franklin‘s gospel album One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.

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Jackson had received his first Grammy nomination in 1980 for best soul gospel performance, contemporary for Push for Excellence, on which he was joined by such gospel stars as Walter Hawkins & Family, Edwin Hawkins, Jessy Dixon and Andrae Crouch. He received his second Grammy nod in 1985 for best spoken word or non-musical recording for Our Time Has Come.

Jackson’s recordings drew heavily from the Black church tradition, civil rights anthems, and protest poetry, blending gospel-inflected oratory with political messaging. Through albums, speeches, and collaborative performances, he helped bridge the worlds of activism and music, influencing generations of hip-hop artists, spoken-word poets, and political musicians who saw his cadence and conviction as a blueprint for socially conscious expression.

Trump, Obama pay tribute

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across the political and cultural spectrum. Civil rights groups hailed him as a “giant of moral leadership,” while musicians and artists credited him with showing how art and activism could merge into a single, transformative force. Political leaders, including current and former US presidents, remembered him as a relentless advocate who refused to separate cultural expression from political struggle. President Donald Trump praised him as “a force of nature like few others before him,” while former President Barack Obama described him as a “true giant.”

Beyond awards and accolades, Jackson’s enduring legacy lies in how he turned language into a rallying cry, infusing rhythm, repetition, and emotional resonance into calls for justice.