Boomshots

Tag: Jo Mersa

  • Joseph Mersa Marley In Memoriam

    Joseph Mersa Marley In Memoriam

    Memories of a Young Lion

    “I don’t really walk around bragging about what I can and can’t do,” Jo Mersa said the first time Boomshots interviewed him, during the summer of 2013. Just the night before he had shared the stage with his father Stephen “Ragga” Marley and his uncle Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, spitting his rapid-fire lyrics to a capacity crowd at London’s Indigo O2. “I don’t talk about it,” he said. “When you hear, you hear it — and you get weh you get.” Video and Full Story After The Jump… 

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  • HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Jo Mersa & Cedella Marley “Revelation Party”

    HEAR THIS: Stephen “Ragga” Marley ft. Jo Mersa & Cedella Marley “Revelation Party”

    Ragga, Joseph & Nice Time Keeping The Party Of Their Life

    Talk about right on time. Between terror attacks and fearmongering folly-ticians, the world seems to have gone mad in recent days and weeks. Leave it to the Marley fam to bring about a cure for our ills—even if only for a while. Today Stephen Marley dropped his latest full length effort, Revelation Vol II: The Fruit Of Life. A handful of singles have been preceded today’s long-awaited release. The latest highlighted single, “Revelation Party,” proves to be a potential anthem not just for our current time, but for any future not so pleasant day ahead. The song is a real family affair as it features Stephen’s son Jo Mersa Marley and his sister Cedella Marley. The earliest versions of this song took the form of a father-and-son acoustic duet between Stephen and Jo Mersa, but this official album version features full-scaled live band. The instrumentation generates more life—a different kind of energy—accentuating the spirit and hope that drives this song. And weaving Cedella’s harmonies through the fabric of this recording maximizes this songs’ potential in a way I don’t think the acoustic version could’ve done. And that’s coming from someone who is a pretty big fan of the acoustic version. The song says it’s OK to celebrate life in a dark time. Thinking about it, what better time is there to celebrate? A dark time can manifest as a result of the lack of celebrating our every day to day. So consider “Revelation Party” both a cure and a preventative to any potential dark or hard day ahead. We all hope to avoid them, but should that next dark day come, rest assured you have a musical outlet to alleviate the stress.  Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Ghetto Youths International Posse Tour the U.S. In Support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2

    Cham, Wayne Marshall, Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis & Black-Am-I Touch The Road

    There is a famous saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and for the heirs of reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian, Stephen and Julian Marley, their actions prove just that. Just as their father founded the Tuff Gong imprint, his youths see big things looming for their fresh record label Ghetto Youths International (GYI). For lovers of the perfect mixture of blues, calypso and rock and roll, Jamaica’s own reggae, GYI has a tour in the works next week. With the Marley imprint behind this initiative one can expect nothing less than a star-studded lineup of acts including Cham,Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Jo Mersa, and Christopher Ellis. Said GYI participants are of course featured on the Billboard chart-topper, Set Up Shop Volume 2, a compilation that represents a full spectrum of music, from reggae to dancehall and futuristic fusion. With such a stellar selection of artists on tour, backed by the Lawless band, who wouldn’t be excited? Tour Schedule After The Jump…
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  • WATCH THIS: Jo Mersa “Rock and Swing” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Jo Mersa “Rock and Swing” Official Music Video

    Brand New Visuals From The Young Raggamuffin

    Jo Mersa continues to step up lyrical game as he trods forward amongst his father Ragga and uncle Zilla. Bob Marley’s 23-year-old grandson is emerging as a wicked DJ who’s blazing his own trail with a fresh youthful approach that still respects the family legacy. His new video—shot by dread director Ras Kassa (the man responsible for Jr. Gong’s “Welome to Jamrock” visuals)—intercuts archival footage of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I with glimpses of kids riding skateboards in downtown Kingston. The bass-heavy rub-a-dub riddim with its echo-chamber horns should have the sound systems vibrating while Mersa touches on social issues from rape and pedophilia to dirty politics,  yet still keeps the energy upful. “I wanted to show the alternative of how beautiful life is,” states Mersa, “to love it and appreciate the gift of life. His toughest tune yet couldn’t have arrived a at a better time—just as the Ghetto Youths tour prepares to touch the road in support of Set Up Shop Vol. 2. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Damian Marley & Friends Rock The Boat on the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    Damian Marley & Friends Rock The Boat on the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

    As Bob Marley Once Sang, We Were “All In The Same Boat, Rockin on The Same Rock”

    When The Wailers linked with Lee “Scratch” Perry to record their classic African Herbsman selection “Don’t Rock My Boat” back in 1973, chances are Bob Marley had no idea that 40-plus years in the future his family would be rocking the biggest boat in reggae history. But when the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise pulled away from the Port of Miami on Monday October 20th, the 2400 artists, selectors, and reggae lovers on board the luxury liner Norwegian Pearl were just as Bob sang, “All in the same boat, rocking on the same rock.” Continued After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Jo Mersa “Sunshine” PREMIERE

    HEAR THIS: Jo Mersa “Sunshine” PREMIERE

    New Music From The Comfortable EP

    As Jo Mersa tours the USA with his father Stephen Marley and his Ghetto Youths bredren Wayne Marshall, he’s been performing cuts from his debut EP, Comfortable, which is set to drop on June 10.  Some of the songs on there, like the title track and “Bad So” are well-known by now. But today he premieres a brand new cut called “Sunshine.” As the title suggests, the sound is warm and shiny, and the lyrics are strictly fi de gyal dem. The forecast for the latest Ghetto Youths recruit is looking bright.  Audio After The Jump…

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  • Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Ghetto Youths Take Over Radio Lily

    Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I and Jo Mersa Storm the Strictly Boomshots Show

    Just before the Ghetto Youths crew shelled down SOBs, they passed through Radio Lily to nice up the Strictly Boomshots show. Jo Mersa, Christopher Ellis, Black Am I, and Wayne Marshall passed the mic around like a coconut chalice. Everybody took a hit—little bit of interview, little bit of freestyle, and a whole heap of vibes. You know how the crew do. Audio After The Jump…

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  • WATCH THIS: Jo Mersa “Comfortable” Official Video

    WATCH THIS: Jo Mersa “Comfortable” Official Video

    BBQs, Boat Rides & A Drop-Top Benz—How Could She Not Be Comfortable With This Rebel?

    Since the release of Set Up Shop Vol. 1, Stephen Marley’s son Jo Mersa has emerged as a talent to watch. His first single “Bad So” showed promised, but the ladies are really connecting with the follow-up track “Comfortable,” which was released this past Valentine’s Day. Mersa’s unpretentiously romantic new video will only add fuel to the fire. A star is born. Video After The Jump (more…)

  • Ghetto Youths International “Set Up Shop Vol. 1” Cover Art & Track Listing

    First GYI Compilation Set to Drop Next Tuesday set_up_shop_vol_1_itunesBOOMSHOTSScheduled for an Itunes WORLDWIDE release on February 26, the 14-track compilation Set Up Shop Vol. 1 will feature talented GYI artistes like Jo Mersa and Daniel ‘Bambaataa’ Marley, the third generation of Marley performers, as well as Wayne Marshall, Black-Am-I, Christopher Ellis, and new music from the Marley brothers – Stephen, Julian and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Also featured are noteworthy collaborations from the likes of Jah Cure, Bugle, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Akon, Tarrus Riley and T.O.K. GYI, which is owned by brothers Stephen, Damian and Julian, have put extensive work not only in developing the compilation but the artistes themselves and in the last 18 months have worked on full length albums with Wayne Marshall, Christopher Ellis and Black-Am-I. Track List After The Jump… (more…)

  • Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist

    Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise Crossword Puzzle Playlist

    A Boomshots Playlist to Help You Solve The Puzzle

    The Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise sets sail this Monday from Miami with ports of call in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, and an all-star lineup of reggae royalty and top selectors aboard. Boomshots and House of Marley teamed up to create the official cruise Zeen, which includes a reggae-matic crossword puzzle. If you can’t make it on board this year’s cruise, don’t be left high and dry… We’ve got the puzzle right here. And make sure you visit the official site to book your cabin for next year.
    Audio Clues And After The Jump.. (more…)