Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley was a reggae musician and the grandson of Bob Marley (1945–1981).
- Died: December 27, 2022 (Who else died on December 27?)
- Details of death: Died of an asthma attack at the age of 31.
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Family and musical career
Marley was the son of Stephen Marley, who has followed in his famous father’s footsteps as a Grammy Award-winning reggae musician and a member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Taking the stage name Jo Mersa, Marley too played the reggae music of his family legacy, beginning as a child who sang alongside his father on stage and in the studio. His solo recording career began with his 2014 debut EP, “Comfortable.” He released a second EP in 2021, “Eternal,” featuring singles including “Made It” and “No Way Out.” Marley also contributed a track to the 2015 Grammy-winning album “Strictly Roots” by the reggae band Morgan Heritage.”
Marley on his family
“You’ll always hear those likkle things there and it puts a smile because you kind of see back that same thing, not only hearing it but also seeing grandpa through his children and grandchildren. That influence, something that I watch my father do and I’m influenced by it and I have this interaction, the same facial features or the same… you know, they say ‘You do this the same way, Stephen got that from his dad, whenever Ziggy does this it reminds me of Bob!’ It comes down to even the grandchildren, watching their mannerism, you know. It’s family to us, it’s normal to me, but it’s still special.” —from a 2021 interview for Reggaeville
Tributes to Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley
Full obituary: People
