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 representative confirmed his death to Rolling Stone on Tuesday.
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.
Jo Mersa, who was born in Jamaica in 1991, reportedly relocated 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.
He spoke at the time, saying, “We always hear those reflections, speaking about those things, about the role that he played not only as a 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, above all love.
Mourning the death of Jo Mersa on Tuesday, Mark J. Golding, a Jamaican politician, penned a heartfelt note on Twitter.
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