With the recent passing of Bob Marley’s grandson, Jo Mersa, it seems timely to reflect on how Bob continues to influence pop culture from beyond the grave. Mainly, Bob’s legacy lives on through his children, their existences, and their various music careers. In Damian Marley’s “Living It Up”, Damian embodies the generational wealth acquired through the inner-strength and tenacious triumph of Bob.
The chorus is joyful, “Daddy made it out!” What exactly was Bob up against in his youth? Bob’s own music was much more somber and blues inspired at times. His live performance of “Trenchtown Rock” is an example.
Even with his back against the wall, Bob never stopped smiling. His eternal optimism is reflected in the names of even his great-grandchildren. Jo Mersa named his daughter “Sunshine”. Mersa collaborated with several well-known reggae artists before his death.
Many of the Marleys have been busy creating music! Jo’s father, Stephen Marley, was featured on Bone Thugs’ song, “Coming Home”,
Jo’s cousin, Skip Marley, collaborated with Damian back in 2020 on “That’s Not True”.
Damian himself is posed to take the relationship between reggae and rap music to a place where it has never been before. Check out his collaboration with rapper Jay-Z, in which the dynamic duo remixes an iconic track by trail-blazing Jamaican DJ Sister Nancy.
Damian isn’t the only Marley crossing genres. Stephen Marley collaborated with Pitbull!
Stephen also collaborated with Shaggy.
Excellent tribute article!
Love All the Marley’s!
Awesome musical selections, too!
Rest In Powerful Peace, Jo Mersa Marley.
Reunited with your Grandfather Marley!
Jah Bless.