Jo Mersa Marley, Grandson Of Bob Marley, Dead At 31
The Marley family was thrown into mourning unexpectedly over the holiday weekend as Jo Mersa Marley, the eldest son of Stephen Marley and grandson of Bob Marley, died at age 31 on Tuesday.
The third-generation Marley, born Joseph Marley, was known as a talented reggae artist and DJ.
A cause of death has not been confirmed, though early reports suggested the Jamaican American suffered an asthma attack.
Since news of his passing, several tributes have been pouring in from his home country.
Jamaica’s Minister for Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, said that she was “deeply saddened by the news”.
“We were graced by Joseph, whose stage name was Jo Mersa, performing at our Jamaica 60 Launch in Miramar, Florida, USA in May,” she wrote on Twitter.
“His untimely passing at the young age of 31… is a huge loss to the music as we look to the next generation. May he find Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss during this season of goodwill when we celebrate with family and friends our love for each other.”
In a 2016 interview on 96.1wefm, the entertainer spoke about the misconception that there was a pressure attached to being the son of Stephen Marley and grandson of Bob Marley.
“You might think it hard but it not hard man. We just live we life. Is not like we really think about it like we have pressure about we name. We just live we life…praise the Most High,” he said.