A special contribution from our distinguished guest writer, Bagus Nuswantoro. This concise memoir, featured in our “Issue” section, delves into the story of one of Marley’s. We hope you enjoy the read!
Jo Mersa Marley is one of the next-generation heirs to the legacy of the world-renowned reggae music legend, Bob Marley, who passed away at the end of last year, precisely on December 27, 2022, at the age of 31. Joseph “Jo” Mersa Marley is the son of Stephen Marley, and he follows in the footsteps of his father, a Grammy Award-winning reggae musician and a member of Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers. As a third-generation member of the Marley family, during his lifetime, Jo Mersa steadfastly continued the antecedent legacy.
“You will always hear things like that, and they never fail to make you smile. Because you not only see the resemblance, but you also look back to Grandfather, from his son, and then onto his grandson. That influence is indeed something I see so strongly in my father, and what I am doing now is also a result of that immense influence—the facial features that are similar, or indeed the same… Yes, you know it. Many people often say, ‘You are Bob!’ — it’s something he passed down to his grandson. You know how he behaves. It’s a part of our family, and it’s something normal for me, and it’s special.” excerpt from Reggaeville interview with Jo Mersa Marley in 2021
—- Jo Mersa Marley : On Marley music’s frontline (interview):
(Source: youtube Onstage TV)
Having the illustrious Marley’s surname, Jo Mersa’s personality remains far from being ostentatious or arrogant, unlike the offspring of many oligarchs or the rich conglomerates with abundant privileges. Despite having access to all the facilities and conveniences easily obtainable through his extensive family, Jo Mersa has chosen to remain focused on deepening his musical knowledge. After graduating from Palmetto High School, he continued his studies in studio engineering at Miami Dade College to further refine and sharpen his skills for his music career.
Jo Mersa Marley nurtured his music career from a young age. Starting as a young child singing alongside his father, Stephen Marley, on stage and in the studio, he has since evolved into a world-class musician.
— A young Jo Mersa, at the age of 6, creating music in the studio with his father, Stephen Marley:
(Source: Tuff Gong Television YouTube Archive)
Jo Mersa had already written and released a song titled “My Girl” in 2010 while still a high school student. His determination really started there. Four years later, he released his solo debut EP, “Comfortable,” in 2014. In 2021, he released his sophomore EP, “Eternal,” which includes singles like “Made It” and “No Way Out.” Throughout his career, Jo Mersa Marley also contributed the song “Strictly Roots” to the reggae band Morgan Heritage, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
— An Aspen 82 INTERVIEW with Stephen Marley and Jo Mersa in the KSPN FM studio for the Kitchen Concert Series:
(Source: Aspen Daily News YouTube Archive)
Joseph Mersa Marley, born on March 12, 1991, in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Miami, Florida, left us too soon, leaving the reggae music world with a sense of loss for an artist who was carving his unique path. Nonetheless, Jo Mersa Marley effectively continued the Marley legacy in his distinctive and enduring fashion.
Here are five musical journeys by Jo Mersa that you can relish while commemorating his legacy:
"My Girl" marked Jo Mersa's debut in the music industry. He wrote the song at a young age, symbolizing the initial step in his musical self-discovery for the future. In "My Girl," Jo Mersa collaborated with his cousin, Daniel Bambaata Marley, the eldest son of David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley.
Much like his father and grandfather, Jo Mersa carries the unmistakable Marley essence in his music. The blaring trumpets, the relentless bass groove, the powerful Nyabinghi drumming at the song's outset, and the lyrical exploration all reflect the strong influence of his father and grandfather. However, Jo Mersa skillfully blends these elements to create his unique style of crafting soulful, sophisticated, and symbol-laden lyrics and music, incorporating elements of rock and swing.
Life in the challenging ghetto, marked by poverty and crime, is often exploited for political purposes. "Rock and Swing" represents Mersa's vision of a better and more dignified life for the ghetto community. He envisions a time when those struggling with poverty can break free from the hardships and challenges of life.
"Rock and Swing" is one of the tracks featured on Mersa's 2013 EP, "Comfortable," which he co-produced with his father, Stephen Marley, and Llamar Brown.
The strong influence of the Marley legacy on Mersa's music is undeniable. The philosophical values ingrained throughout generations, including the perspective that vulnerability is not a weakness but a key to self-discovery, are upheld by him. "Hurting Inside" serves as Jo Mersa's personal reflection, delving into the quest for meaning in life's journey and the search for happiness within. Through this track, he encourages contemplation and introspection, prompting a deeper exploration of inner happiness, which can sometimes wane amid life's challenges.
The lively rhythm meets the introspective and melancholic lyrics, creating a captivating fusion in this song. Produced by Ghetto Youths International and released in 2018, the track encapsulates Mersa's soulful vocal delivery, harmoniously interwoven with melodies that resonate with the legacy of his late grandfather, Bob Marley. It's no surprise that "Hurting Inside" allows Jo Mersa to effectively channel the essence of the Marley legacy to his devoted fans.
Inspired by the enduring spirit rooted in the Marley family, known for their unwavering stance against injustice, "Burn it Down" represents Jo Mersa's attempt to rekindle that very spirit. Teaming up with his cousin Yohan Marley, they combine their talents in both lyrics and up-tempo reggae dancehall beats. This song, released on May 6, 2019, through Ghetto Youth Internationals, serves as their platform to protest against the abuses of power, corruption, and greed, passionately rallying the call to "burn them entirely to the ground!".
"Made it" is the fourth track on Jo Mersa's EP, "Eternal." Collaborating with Kabaka Pyramid, he attempts to metaphorically represent the achievement of success from a working-class perspective. The warm summer jam-style beats blend with a sequence of words filled with hidden messages from Jo Mersa. These words reflect his struggles with depression, the fear of disappointing those around him, and how he copes with the burden of carrying the weight of the Marley legacy as he pursues his music career.
In the end, Jo Mersa has truly "made it" in his own unique way. He has succeeded in establishing his own identity within the Marley family's legacy. "Made it" stands out among the seven tracks on Jo Mersa's "Eternal" EP, released in 2021. The song carries a powerful message, as evident in the lyrics: "Let me call my job and tell them to find a replacement because I made it…pack my things up and move out of the basement."
Yes you’ve Made it, Eternally!
(Text: Bagus Nuswantoro, Editor & Translation: Sam)
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