Following Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley’s passing on Tuesday, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a tribute to him, “May he find Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss at this season of goodwill.”
Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, the son of Grammy Award-winning artist Stephen Marley and the grandson of reggae great Bob Marley, has passed away. He was 31. His passing was confirmed to Rolling Stone on Tuesday by a spokesman.
Journalist Abka Fitz-Henley originally tweeted about Jo Mersa’s passing; according to WZPP Radio, the musician was “discovered in his vehicle.” His reason of death hasn’t been made public yet.
Early life
Jo Mersa, who was born in 1991 in Kingston, Jamaica, reportedly moved to Miami when she was 11 years old. Before enrolling at Miami Dade College to study studio engineering, he attended Palmetto High School. Jo Mersa, one of the 11 offspring of the late reggae musician Bob, was introduced to music at a young age while being nurtured by his father Stephen, 50.
Jo Mersa started writing music in middle school, and in 2010, he and his cousin Daniel Bambaata Marley released their debut song together, “My Girl.” Jo Mersa released his debut EP, Comfortable, in 2014. Eternal, his second EP, was published last year.
Jo Mersa revealed during the promotion of the songs that his grandfather, who passed away in 1981 at the age of 36, had spoken to Reggaeville.com about his legacy and that his family still talks about the times they spent together when remembering the late artist.
The late artist had previously discussed establishing his own place in the business in an interview with Rolling Stone. “I am a member of the new Marley generation, but I continue to innovate. My goal is to combine my heritage with something new “He’d stated. This article was published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the staff of The Telegraph Online, save from the title.
Condolences on Twitter
“We always hear those reflections, speaking about those things, about the role that he played not only as family member and father, but also in the world and the impact he had on the Reggae community and the Reggae culture, the roots, bringing forward the message of Rastafari and love, over all love,” he explained at the time.
A politician from Jamaica named Mark J. Golding sent a moving message on Twitter lamenting the passing of Jo Mersa on Tuesday.
“I recently learned of Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley’s tragic passing. A gifted young reggae musician who is only 31 years old and the grandson of Bob Marley and Stephen Marley “He composed. “My condolences to Stephen and the entire family. The loss of a child is a tragic blow no parent should have to endure.”
A photo of Jo Mersa was also shared on Instagram by Jamaican-American reggae musician Shaggy.
