Marley Family & Friends Pays Tribute To Jo Mersa On His 32nd Birthday

Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley’s absence was deeply felt on Sunday (March 12), as family and friends gathered to celebrate what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Jo Mersa passed away on December 27, 2022, in Miami-Dade County.

The celebration took place in Nine Miles, St. Ann, where both Jo Mersa and King of Reggae Bob Marley are buried. Dancehall Queen Carlene, Jo Mersa’s aunt, shared footage with her sister and the late singer’s mother Kerry-Ann. Also in attendance were Jo Mersa’s widow and his daughter, as well as his uncles Damian, Julian, Ky’Mani, and Rohan Marley.

Several artists paid tribute to Jo Mersa during the celebration, including Capleton, Cham, and Spragga Benz.

On Instagram, Jo Mersa’s father, Stephen, led the tributes by sharing a photo of himself and his son. “Joseph…I love you my son Happy Earthstrong,” he wrote.

In another post, Jo Mersa’s brother Yohan shared a black-and-white memory of the two performing together. “I love you always and forever Blessed Earthstrong my big brother @jomersamarley #eternal,” he wrote.

Jo Mersa’s other brother Hymn also shared a memory, writing: “The Power Of The Trinity  Mersa day everyday”

Skip Marley paid tribute to his cousin with contrasting photos of members of the family as adults and children. “Blessed Eternal Everlasting Strong Love you Jo @jomersamarley”

Ziggy Marley shared two photos, one of which showed Jo with his wife Qiara and their daughter Sunshine, as well as his own wife and two of their children. “Celebrating Joseph today. Love Everlasting. JAH”

In December 2022, police reported that Jo Mersa was found unconscious inside his vehicle in a shopping center’s parking lot located at 11825 South Dixie Highway. Paramedics at the scene later determined that he had passed away. The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Homicide Bureau noted that no foul play was suspected. South Florida-based WZPP Radio speculated that his untimely passing was due to asthma.

Jo Mersa was known for tracks like “Burn It Down” (featuring Yohan), “Made It” (featuring Kabaka Pyramid), “Yo Dawg” (featuring Busy Signal), and “Rock and Swing.”