State Champ Radio Bob Marley
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Elijah Marley, the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, thrilled the crowd paying tribute to Jo Mersa Marley on his birthday recently.
On March 9, the family of the late, great reggae legend Bob Marley held a tribute concert to honor the birthday of the late singer and relative Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley at Nine Mile in the St. Ann’s parish of Jamaica. Amid a star-studded lineup, one figure captivated the audience—Elijah Marley, the 12-year-old grandson of Bob and son of Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley.
With his father and uncles behind him beaming with pride, Elijah sang and the audience burst into cheers at his performance. The young Marley has been rising in prominence, having previously displayed his skills at the celebration of what would’ve been Bob Marley’s 77th birthday on February 6, 2022, at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
The highlight of that “Roots 77” showcase (which also incorporated live stream performances from artists such as D’Angelo) was Elijah doing a cover of Stephen Marley and Capleton’s “Rockstone”, singing lead as he played the drums. He also captivated the 3,000 audience members with a performance of John Lennon’s iconic tune “Imagine”, and even covered country music star Blake Shelton’s “God Country,” adding his own twist to it.
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The concert honoring Jo Mersa Marley also featured notable artists such as Kabaka Pyramid, Spragga, Christopher Ellis, Lutan Fyah, and Black Am I. Jo Mersa Marley was on his way to being an established artist carrying on the family’s legacy as the first-born son of Stephen Marley, beginning with his debut EP Comfortable in 2014. He had released several singles that moved the needle in the reggae scene including “Burn It Down”, a collaboration with his brother Yohan Marley that was released in 2019.
The 31-year-old Jo Mersa Marley died in December 2022 after being found unresponsive in his car in a parking lot in Miami, Florida. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office would later determine the cause of death as “acute asthma exacerbation,” with rhinovirus/enterovirus infection listed as a primary cause.
Rest in powerful peace Joe Mersa Marley.
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Source: Paramount Pictures / Paramount Pictures
With all these legendary music artists like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and even 50 Cent having had their own biopic films made over the past few years, it’s only right that a musical legend and pop culture icon like Bob Marley finally get the same recognition. Now his time has finally come.
Source: Paramount Pictures / Paramount Pictures
Earlier today (July 6) Paramount Pictures released the first teaser trailer to its Bob Marley biopic, One Love, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the man who came straight outta Kingston, Jamaica and made his way into everyone’s soul with his timeless music. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard) and produced by Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, the trailer to Bob Marley: One Love showcases Bob Marley’s ascension to superstardom while also revealing the obstacles and personal struggles who went through on his way to the top of the music charts.
Whether he was laying down classic tracks in the studio or dodging bullets in his hometown of Trenchtown in Kingston, the trailer to One Love promises to delve into the life and times of Bob Marley that many may be familiar with but others had no idea occurred.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ziggy Marley explained what he wanted to do with this film and why it means so much to him.
Entertainment Weekly reports:
While many musical biopics span multiple years of a subject’s life, Bob Marley: One Love is focused on a very specific stretch leading up to Marley’s performance at the One Love Peace Concert in 1978, which happened amidst a violent political crisis in Jamaica.
“We knew from the very beginning that we didn’t want to do a cradle-to-grave story,” Green says. “At this particular period in time, ’76-77, a lot was happening in Bob’s life. It was a period of great creative genius, but he was also dealing with a lot, including cancer. He was challenged as a man, as a father and husband, as a musician. So it’s a snapshot of his life that speaks to his entire life. There are flashes to his earlier life and childhood, but it’s not about when he was born and when he died. We felt this movie was more about how his music lives on and how his message continues to spread.”
We. Can’t. Wait.
Check out the trailer to Bob Marley: One Love below and let us know if you’ll be checking for this when it hits theaters in 2024.
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The Bob Marley interactive exhibition “One Love Experience” has been extended for an additional four weeks in its current Los Angeles home at the Ovation Hollywood, its producers announced today (March 14). The exhibit, which opened Jan. 27, was originally slated to run until April 23, but now will close after May 21.
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The “One Love Experience” spans multiple rooms across some 15,000 square feet, and includes the full Marley archive of previously-unseen photos and memorabilia, and a 2,000-square foot One Love Forest, which is an immersive trip through Marley’s Jamaica, complete with cannabis garden and “a giant joint,” according to a press release. There’s also a Soul Shakedown studio with a silent disco for fans who want to grab a pair of headphones and street artwork from the likes of Mr. Brainwash, The Postman, Camoworks, Idiotbox and others, as well as a section commemorating the enduring legacy of Marley through his family’s works and charitable endeavors, among other components.
The exhibit initially launched in London in February 2022, spending 10 weeks at the Saatchi Gallery in the city, before moving to Toronto, where it spent 16 weeks at the Lighthouse Immersive Artspace. The exhibit is produced by the Marley family and Terrapin Station Entertainment, a division of Sony Music.
“Extending the exhibit in Los Angeles will give even more people the opportunity to come and feel the positive vibrations,” exhibit producer Jonathan Shank of Terrapin Station Entertainment said in a statement to Billboard. “We’ve had so many people from all over the world and of all ages come through and we’re thrilled that it’s been so well received.”
As the exhibit has gone on, additional features have been added. On weekends, fans can reserve a tour from reggae historian and author Roger Steffens, who guides attendees through the exhibit; meanwhile, for the additional four weeks that it will run, there are now One Love DJ Nights each Friday night, with sets from Marley granddaughter Sachia Päyne and Afro Funke DJs Garth Trinidad, Jeremy Sole, Glenn Red and Francesca Harding. And, of course, there will be a special event on 4/20.
“After successful runs in London and Toronto, we are thrilled that L.A. is looking to be the biggest city yet for the Bob Marley One Love Experience,” Shank added. “The extension just shows how powerful the Marley legacy continues to be and alongside all the critical praise and positive reviews the exhibit has received, it was a natural decision to keep the doors open at Ovation Hollywood.”
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It’s Bob Marley’s birthday! The reggae legend, who died from melanoma in 1981, would have turned 78 years old on Monday (Feb. 6). To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of items from House of Marley, the eco-friendly tech brand founded by the late musician’s son Rohan.
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House of Marley offers a greener (yet still stylish) alternative to home audio technologies, using mindfully sourced materials such as bamboo and the brand’s signature Rewind fabric crafted from reclaimed organic cotton and hemp. House of Marley also supports global reforestation and ocean preservation efforts through the Project Marley Global Giving initiative, created in honor of the Marley “and his respect for the earth and people.”
The company’s blended passion for music and commitment to sustainability has led to a wide-ranging line of headphones, turntables, speakers and more.
We’ve rounded some of our top picks from the brand, which is available at HouseofMarley.com and Amazon. See them below.
Amazon
No Bounds Speaker $69.99
Need a portable speaker? House of Marley’s No Bounds Speaker comes in red, black, blue and gray. It has a 10-hour battery life, it’s waterproof, dust-proof and designed to float, making it perfect for a day at day the beach (when the weather lets up), pool or for an outdoor hang with friends. The built-in microphone also allows for use as a speakerphone.
Amazon
House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable
$199.99 $249.99 20% OFF
This stylish turntable’s Audio Technica cartridge and built-in pre-amp delivers premium audio quality, plus it’s compatible with any Bluetooth speaker or headphones. The soft, natural bamboo design with a Marley quote engraved on the tonearm also makes for a decorative addition to your living space.
Amazon
House of Marley Positive Vibration 2: Over-Ear Headphones
$89.99
Need foldable headphones? From podcasts to playlists, listen to your favorites with the House of Marley’s Positive Vibration 2: Over-Ear Headphones. The headphones serve up crisp sound with 40mm drivers, up to 10 hours of playtime and they’re compatible with IOS and Android.
Another popular option from the House of Marley lineup: Exodus Over-Ear Headphones are equipped with 50mm hi-definition drivers for the ultimate listening experience and memory foam ear cushions and headband padding for comfort (IOS and Android compatible) the headphones allow for 30 hours of playtime.
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Champion True Wireless Earbuds $55.99
If headphones aren’t your thing, House of Marley also offers earbuds crafted from bamboo, natural wood fiber composite and Regrind Silicone. The earbuds have an eight-hour battery life and mechanical button touch control.
Amazon
Get Together Duo Bluetooth Speakers $135.99 $169.99
The compact bookshelf speakers, featuring the brand’s signature bamboo design, allows for 20 hours of playtime from the portable right speaker and a mains-powered left speaker, so you can enjoy jams while chilling at home or heading outdoors. It includes convenient USB-C charging and Bluetooth connectivity to pair with your phone, TV, laptop or wireless turntable. Click here to shop more speakers from House of Marley like the No Bounds XL Waterproof Speaker ($149.99) and Get It Together Mini Portable Speaker ($89.99).
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Source: Johnny Louis / Getty
The reggae world is in shock as Jo Mersa Marley, the grandson of the legendary Bob Marley has been reported dead at the age of 31.
According to reports, a representative for the young singer confirmed his passing to Rolling Stone. This was after Kingston, Jamaica-based journalist Abka Fitz-Henley first reported on the passing via his Twitter account, stating that Marley had passed away in the U.S. after being “found unresponsive in a vehicle.” He leaves behind a wife and daughter.
WZPP, a South Florida radio station, would report on the “Burn It Down” singer’s death in a post on Instagram stating that it was due to an asthma attack without adding further details. Marley’s representative did not provide further comment when first contacted by the press.
The grandson of Bob and Rita Marley and son of Stephen Marley, Jo Mersa was born Joseph Marley March 12 in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to Florida during his high school years and studied audio engineering at Miami Dade College. He made his musical debut in 2010 on the song “My Girl,” a collaborative track with his cousin, Daniel Bambaataa Marley. He would go on to release an EP entitled Comfortable in 2014 and release his debut album Eternal in 2021.
In an interview with Rolling Stone at the time of his debut, the young Marley spoke about his iconic grandfather and family legacy. “I am one of the new generation of Marleys, but I am still experimenting at the same time,” he said, adding: “My plan is to do something new with my roots.”
In another interview with the outlet Reggaeville in 2021, he would talk further about that impact. “We always hear those reflections, speaking about those things, about the role that he played not only as family member and father, but also in the world and the impact he had on the Reggae community and the Reggae culture, the roots, bringing forward the message of Rastafari and love, over all love.”
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