Musician Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley, a grandson of singer Bob Marley, died Tuesday at the age of 31.
Representatives from his team released news of his death to Rolling Stone on Dec. 27. Sources close to the situation said he passed away due to complications from asthma, but the details surrounding his death have not been released, according to TMZ. Mersa was the son of musician Stephen Marley, and was raised in Jamaica. He studied audio engineering at Miami Dade College and was a musician in his own right, according to TMZ.
Bob Marley’s grandson, reggae artist Joseph ‘Jo’ Mersa Marley, has died. https://t.co/D6EketAg7x
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 27, 2022
Some of his most notable musical contributions include his 2014 EP, “Comfortable,” and his 2016 EP, “Eternal.”
Mersa deeply respected his roots and was focused on carving his own path in the world of music, much like his famous grandfather had done so many years prior.
“It was a very magical thing, seeing those people come around to the house and how the whole work process would happen,” he said, speaking of his famous family during a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone. “I would come home and try to do homework, but I’d end up getting distracted and go peek in the studio. You would always want to run in and run out to see what was going on,” Mersa said. (RELATED: ‘Seinfeld’ Stars We Lost In 2022 But Will Never Forget)
I’ve just learned of the tragic loss of Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley. 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. pic.twitter.com/BJf1NLH6Qc
— Mark J. Golding (@MarkJGolding) December 27, 2022
Fans, friends and prominent figures have been mourning the sudden loss of such a young, talented man.
Mark J. Golding, a Jamaican politician, took to Twitter and shared a heartfelt message. “I’ve just learned of the tragic loss of Joseph ‘Jo Mersa’ Marley. 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,” he wrote.