Musician Joseph 'Jo Mersa' Marley has died at 31: Grandson of Bob Marley Reportedly Died From Asthma Attack

Photo Courtesy Instagram/@joemesamarley

Joseph "Jo Mersa" Marley, the scion of Grammy Award-winning Jamaican-American musician Stephen Marley and grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, has died.

According to reporting from Abka Fitz-Henley, a journalist based in Jamaica who was one of the first to break the story, the 31-year-old Jamaican-American reggae artist was found unresponsive in a vehicle on Tuesday.

Representatives for the singer confirmed his death to the media but did not give a cause, however, Florida radio station WZPP posted that it has confirmed his passing was due to an asthma attack. 

This is truly sad news; sending strength to the Marley family at this time.

Repost/video credit @Babsy_grange :

I am deeply saddened by the news that artiste Joseph Marley, son of Reggae star, Stephen Marley and grand son of Reggae super star, Bob Marley has died. pic.twitter.com/OsXQKYOKEi

— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 28, 2022

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness was one of many to pay tribute following the news of Marley's death.

"I extend my deepest condolences to Stephen, Jo’s mom, Kerry, the Marleys and other family members," Holness — who hosted the artist in May when he performed as part of the festivities for an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the island country in Florida — wrote on Twitter.

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A post shared by 92.7/96.1 FM WZOP/WZPP RADIO (@wzppradio)

Holness said Marley's untimely death was a huge loss to the music world, adding, "May he find Eternal Peace as we mourn his loss during this season of goodwill when we celebrate with family and friends our love for each other."

The Jamaican-born musician moved to Miami when he was 11. He attended school in the states, including a stint at Miami-Dade College studying studio engineering, but it was clear that he would join the family business early on.

A multi-instrumental singer-songwriter, he released his first song as a teen and went on to release two albums, 2014's "Comfortable" and "Eternal" in 2021. Marley was best known for his 2016 single "Burn it Down," featuring his brother Yohan.

Tory Lanez Found Guilty in 2020 Shooting of Megan Thee Stallion

Tory Lanez

Canadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez faces up to 22 years in prison and deportation after being found guilty of three charges in the shooting of fellow musician Megan Thee Stallion.

He was convicted on all three counts against him pertaining to the July 2020 assault on Megan, which left her temporarily unable to walk and forced her to get surgery on both feet.

Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, had pleaded not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.

During the nine-day trial, the 30-year-old did not take the stand in his defense. It took the jury, made up of seven women and five men, one day to reach its conclusion, delivering the verdict Friday afternoon after deliberations had begun Thursday.

In a statement to CNN following the verdict, LA County DA George Gascón said Megan “showed incredible courage and vulnerability” during her testimony “despite repeated and grotesque attacks.”  

“You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face and you have been an inspiration to others across LA County and the nation,” he said, in reference to Megan.

“Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual violence because they are too often not believed. This trial, for the second time this month, highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women,” Gascón added, referring to Harvey Weinstein being found guilty of three out of seven charges on Monday

Megan, 27, had accused Lanez of shooting her in the foot after she exited a vehicle they had been riding in following an argument.

"I want him to go to jail,” Megan Thee Stallion told Rolling Stone in a no-holds-barred interview published earlier this year. “I want him to go under the jail.”

Memphis Rapper, Big Scarr, Reportedly Dead at 22

Photo Credit: Gucci Mane/Instagram

The hip-hop world is reeling from the loss of another up-and-coming rapper from Memphis, Tennessee.

Big Scarr has reportedly passed away. He just wrapped up a major year & was preparing to tour with Key Glock and perform at Rolling Loud LA next year. The worst part is that he died right before the holidays.

My condolences go out to his family, Gucci Mane & 1017. RIP Big Scarr pic.twitter.com/2EB1WS2vyx

— Tony M. Centeno (@_tonyMC) December 23, 2022

Gucci Mane confirmed reports that fellow Bluff City artist Big Scarr died Thursday in an Instagram post.

“This hurts,” Mane, whose label 1017 Records signed Scarr in 2020, wrote. “I’m a miss you.”

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A post shared by Gucci Mane (@laflare1017)

No cause of death was given for the 22-year-old, born Alexander Woods, but his demise is the third in less than a year of a prominent Memphis rapper. 

Young Dolph was murdered while at a bakery in Memphis in Nov. of 2021 and Snootie Wild was shot to death in Houston in February. 

RIP Big Scarr. A whole lot of bangers in a very short time.

An entire generation of rap stars killed, dead from an accidental od, or incarcerated before they have the chance to realize their full potential.

A recurring series of tragedies streaming on a cursed infinity loop. pic.twitter.com/rF9QtXU9lR

— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) December 23, 2022

A member of the 2022 XXL Freshman Class, showcasing rap artists on the rise, Scarr moved toward mainstream success in 2021 with the release of the hit single "SoIcyBoyz," Featuring labelmates Pooh Shiesty, who is also his cousin, and Foogiano.

A mixtape by Scarr, "Big Grim Reaper," was released in April of 2021. It sold 22,000 copies in its first week and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200, and earned him his first charting project.