Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, the grandson of reggae memoir Bob Marley and son of Grammy Award-winning musician Stephen Marley, has died. He used to be 31.
His representative confirmed his death to Rolling Stone on Tuesday.
Jo Mersa’s death used to be first reported in a tweet by journalist Abka Fitz-Henley, and in line with WZPP Radio, the musician used to be “present in his vehicle.” His clarification for death has no longer but been printed.
Representatives for Jo Mersa did no longer right away return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Born in Jamaica in 1991, Jo Mersa moved to Miami on the age of 11, in line with Rolling Stone. He attended Palmetto Excessive College sooner than enrolling at Miami Dade Faculty, where he studied studio engineering. Jo Mersa used to be exposed to music at an early age while being raised by his father Stephen, 50, one among Bob’s 11 younger of us who adopted in the leisurely reggae artist’s footsteps.
After foundation to jot down music in heart college, Jo Mersa released his first song “My Lady” — a collaboration along with his cousin Daniel Bambaata Marley — in 2010. In 2014, Jo Mersa dropped his first EP, titled Cosy. His most in model and 2nd EP, Eternal, used to be released final year.
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While promoting the tracks, Jo Mersa opened up about his grandfather — who died in 1981 on the age of 36 — telling Reggaeville.com about his legacy and sharing that his household remembers the leisurely singer by reminiscing about the recollections they’d with him.
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“We repeatedly hear those reflections, talking about those things, about the role that he performed no longer most attention-grabbing as household member and father, but also in the arena and the impact he had on the Reggae crew and the Reggae culture, the roots, bringing ahead the message of Rastafari and love, over all love,” he explained on the time.
Mourning the death of Jo Mersa on Tuesday, Brand J. Golding, a Jamaican flesh presser, penned a heartfelt present on Twitter.
“I’ve ideal realized of the tragic lack of Joseph ‘Jo Mersa’ Marley. A talented younger reggae artiste, son of Stephen Marley & grandson of Bob Marley at most attention-grabbing 31 yrs historical,” he wrote. “The lack of a kid is a devastating blow no father or mother could perchance perhaps level-headed face, my condolences to Stephen & the total household.”
Jamaican-American reggae musician Shaggy also posted a image of Jo Mersa on his Instagram.
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“So saddened by the knowledge of the passing of this younger king @jomersamarley sending prayers and condolences to the Marley household,” he wrote in the caption.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, also honored Jo Mersa following his death.
Calling his death “a big loss to the music as we uncover to the subsequent generation,” Holness, 50, added: “My heartfelt sympathies to Joseph’s mates and associates and to the Reggae music fraternity and followers in every single place.”
“Might perhaps well perchance he win Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss in the route of this season of goodwill when we celebrate with household and mates our love for every other,” he wrote.
In step with WZPP Radio, Jo Mersa is survived by his considerable other and daughter.
