Jo Mersa Marley, Bob Marley’s grandson, passed away on December 27, 2022, at the age of 31. The singer was Stephen Marley, the oldest son of Bob Marley, the late legendary reggae singer.
As reported on Tuesday, the Jamaican-American reggae artist Jo Mersa Marley, who is the grandson of Bob Marley, was allegedly discovered unresponsive in a vehicle. WZPP, a radio station in South Florida, is said to have confirmed that Marley passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, according to reports.
The New York Post reported that Jo Mersa moved to Florida in high school after spending his early years in Jamaica. Jo Marley is the oldest of Stephen Marley’s children. She has seven sisters and five brothers.
According to reports, Jo made his first appearance on stage at the age of four when he performed alongside his father, his uncle Ziggy Marley, and his aunts Sharon Marley and Cedella Marley. He reportedly attended Miami Dade College to study studio engineering. Comfortable, Jo’s 2014 EP, also had a song with the same name. In 2021, the artist released his second EP, “Eternal”.
Bob Marley, Jo’s grandfather, was known for being a pioneer of the reggae movement. He released popular songs like “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Is This Love,” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” At the age of 36, Bob Marley died of melanoma in 1981. With seven different women, the singer had 11 children.
Marley’s infusion of spirituality into his music earned him widespread acclaim and made him a Rastafari icon. He came to represent Jamaican music and culture to the world.
The singer was also well-known for being outspoken in his support of democratic social reforms and his firm political beliefs. In 1976, the singer was also the target of a home invasion.
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In an interview with Pier, Jo, the grandson of Bob Marley, discussed what it meant to have the last name. He talked about not feeling the strain in regards to something very similar and said,
“There are things that you have to overcome and things you just have to do and that’s how it is. We have to go through life you know? There’s no pressure for me. I give thanks for being a Marley. I’m very appreciative and thankful that I am born where I am born and put where God has decided. I’m very thankful about it and proud.”
Speaking about his legendary grandfather, he again said,
“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.”
Tributes:
On Twitter, a number of Jo Mersa fans expressed their grief and reacted to the news of the musician’s passing.
“Forever in our hearts” was also a tribute written by streaming service TIDAL to the late singer. “Jo Mersa Marley, RIP.”
“I am deeply saddened by the news that artiste Joseph Marley, son of Reggae star, Stephen Marley and grandson of Reggae super star, Bob Marley has died. We were graced by Joseph, whose stage name was Jo Mersa, performing at our Jamaica 60 Launch in Miramar, Florida, USA in May.”
