Bob Marley’s grandson Jo Mersa dead at 31 – Reggae star’s body ‘found in vehicle’
JOSEPH Marley, the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, has died at the age of 31, according to the streaming service TIDAL.
Marley, better known as Jo Mersa, was reportedly found “unresponsive” inside a vehicle while in the United States, Jamaican reporter Abka Fitz-Henley reported on Tuesday.
A cause of death was not immediately made available, however, South Florida radio station WZPP claims Jo died of an asthma attack.
TIDAL paid tribute to the reggae artist, tweeting: “Forever in our hearts. RIP Jo Mersa Marley. .”
The 31-year-old musician was the son of Stephen Marley, whose father was the late Jamaican superstar Bob.
His grandfather, who died in 1981, was a pioneer in the reggae movement and was best known for songs like Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, Get Up, Stand Up, Is This Love, among others.
Jo Mersa spent his early years in Jamaica before he moved to Florida.
He studied studio engineering at Miami Dade College, according to a 2014 article by the Jamaica Observer.
At the time, Jo told the outlet that the only challenge he faced was maintaining the lofty standards of the Marley name.
“My father has created a legacy by putting out songs with meaning. It’s something I have to live up to,” he said.
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Like his family, Jo Mersa followed in their footsteps and released his debut album, Comfortable, in 2014.
The six-song EP featured fellow Jamaican reggae stars Jemere Morgan and Wayne Marshall.
He also appeared on Morgan Heritage’s Grammy-winning Strictly Roots album the following year.
His second album, Eternal, was released last year and also featured six singles with artists like Melii, Black-Am-I, Busy Signal and Kabaka Pyramid.
Throughout the years, Jo Mersa would go on to appear in songs with artists like Farruko, Jesse Royal and his father, Stephen.
The Burn It Down singer is survived by his wife and daughter.