Credit: Jo Mersa Marley Youtube
The grandson of reggae artist Bob Marley and the son of Stephen Marley, Joseph “Jo” Mersa Marley, has passed away at the age of 31, according to TMZ.
Jo’s cause of death has not been made public, but it is believed to have been related to his asthma. According to Rolling Stone, a representative for Jo, whose most recent album Eternal was published last year, revealed that he had died on December 26 in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Jo, who was born in Jamaica in 1991 and came to Miami at the age of 11 years old, has always been active in music. Before starting a solo career a little more than ten years ago, he had performed on stage with his father, Ziggy Marley, and the Melody Makers. His first official release was the Daniel Bambaata-produced song “My Girl” in 2010. He then released his first solo EP, Comfortable, in 2014.
After learning of Jo’s passing, Jamaican politician Mark J. Golding joined those who expressed their condolences. “I’ve just learned of the tragic loss of Joseph ‘Jo Mersa’ Marley,” wrote Golding, the president of the People’s National Party. “A talented young reggae artiste, son of Stephen Marley & grandson of Bob Marley at only 31 yrs old. The loss of a child is a devastating blow no parent should face, my condolences to Stephen & the entire family.”