Jo Mersa Marley recently released a new song called “Burn It Down,” featuring his brother Yohan Marley. “Burn It Down” is the first new song in over a year from Jo Mersa Marley, who is the son of Stephen Marley and the grandson of Bob Marley. “Burn It Down” was produced by Jo Mersa in conjunction with Stephen Marley and Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown.
The new single from Jo Mersa is demand for social change, and harps on the pressing issue of racial violence and tension. He shed some light on the inspiration for the song saying, “Carlton Grant Jr. a.k.a. Carlyle (Spragga Benz’s son) and a good friend of mine Sonico were both innocently gunned down in Jamaica by the police within two years apart. Then two years later in 2012, Trayvon Martin’s murder happened. It hit home to me. The potential they all had was taken away from them, for no reason. We are humans whom all have a purpose. My people and my generation are fed up. From my grandfather, grandmother, Martin Luther King Jr. and many people before us to the young activists today like Ashley Yates and Tory Russell, we will fight for justice. Burn out this wickedness and step outta Babylon.”
Like many from the extended Marley family, Jo Mersa grew up engulfed in a world of music. Jo Mersa Marley has carved his own musical path, constructing a unique sound that is equal parts reggae, hip hop, and EDM. The 25 year-old was born in Kingston, Jamaica, then moved to Miami at 11 years old. Jo Mersa began joining his family on stage when he just 4 years old, and at 11 he began making his first beats in the studio. Fortunate to have observed reggae legends from an early age, Jo Mersa has also worked diligently to improve his vocal delivery and songwriting ability.
Jo Mersa garnered praise for his 2014 EP Comfortable, which contained popular songs “Rock and Swing” and “Comfortable.” Now, Jo Mersa is preparing for the release of his debut full-length album.
[Related: UB40’s Ali Campbell Talks U.S. Summer Tour]
This summer, Jo Mersa will be supporting legendary Birmingham act UB40 on tour. Jo Mersa Marley and UB40 will perform 7 different shows together, hitting both East Coast and West Coast venues. Here’s what UB40’s Ali Campbell shared with The Pier regarding this summer tour that includes Jo Mersa: “To have Bob Marley’s grandson touring with us, I think that’s fabulous… I saw Bob Marley and The Wailers in 1975 or ‘76 when I was a kid and it changed my life… It’s a delight to see the younger Marley’s kids coming through.”
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Article By: Brian Winters