The world of Reggae mourns Joseph “Jo” Mersa Marley, who died on Tuesday, December 27. The 31-year-old artist’s body was found in a car in Miami, Florida, where he lived. It seems that the reggae musician died of an asthma attack, a disease he suffered from since his youth. An autopsy will have to determine the exact cause of this sudden death that saddens the whole Marley clan, the Caribbean island of Jamaica where the son of Stephen Marley was born and the whole music world.
Joseph “Jo” Mersa Marley had studied studio engineering at Miami Dade University and had released two albums during his career – “Comfortable” (2014) and “Eternal” (2021); he had also collaborated with artists such as Alborosie and Etanna, who pay tribute to him.
At the announcement of this sudden death, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a tweet : “This is truly sad news; sending strength to the Marley family at this time. I am deeply saddened by the news that artist Joseph Marley, son of Reggae star, Stephen Marley and grand son of Reggae super star, Bob Marley has died”.
In a press release, the world’s largest record label specializing in reggae music, wrote: “VP Records mourns the passing of Jo Mersa Marley, whose contribution to reggae music has been cut short but whose impact will be remembered. Following the path that his father Stephen, and grandfather Bob Marley, his voice will be missed”.
VP Records CEO Chris Chin added: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Jo Mersa’s passing, our prayers are with his wife and daughter, and the Marley family at this difficult time”.
