The Marley brothers (from left) Damian Jr Gong, Stephen, Julian, and Ky-Mani Marley be part of forces to have fun the lifetime of the late Jo Mersa Marley throughout his annual birthday live performance at Bob Marley Museum on Saturday, March 8. (Picture: Andre Skeen)
It was a celebration of life like no different as a few of music’s greatest stars joined forces with the lion-hearted Marley household to honour the late Jo Mersa.
Tons of flocked the grounds of the Bob Marley Museum on Saturday to face in solidarity with the musical household as they memorialised Jo Mersa’s legacy.
Whereas the musical show from every act was at a mastery degree, it was the love of household and group that was most palpable. From the opening act to the curtain-closer, a spirit of togetherness enveloped the venue, one thing the Marley clan admitted was all the time a precedence for his or her beloved Jo Mersa.
Yohan Marley, Jo Mersa’s brother, fought again tears as he carried out a single written by his late sibling. Based on him, the monitor was impressed by individuals going by way of hardships and is a stark reminder that, although their burden could appear overwhelming, they don’t seem to be alone.
“This tune is for these of you going by way of one thing, combating some type of melancholy; struggle the struggle since you’re not alone. This tune was written by my brother Jo Mersa and it goes out to all of you,” mentioned Yohan earlier than taking the viewers together with him on a tear-jerking rendition of the monitor, You’re Not The Solely One.
His set was injected with many magical moments as he invited a number of members of his household, together with Mystic Marley, to help in honouring his late brother’s reminiscence.
However the spotlight of his efficiency got here when he invited his niece to share the stage. Sunshine Marley, the daughter of his late brother, shun vivid as she partnered together with her uncle. Totally embracing her birthright, the younger Marley delivered the refrain to her father’s decade-old monitor, You’re My Sunshine. She was rewarded with resounding applause earlier than making her exit and clearing the best way for an additional proficient pool of artistes from her household.
Skip and Soul-Insurgent Marley have been subsequent on stage. In-between delivering a few of their most notable tracks, the pair referred to as on Jesse Royal to assist take the vitality to a complete new degree. And he did simply that as he carried out tracks akin to Trendy Day Judas. Nevertheless it was his efficiency of the only he did with Jo Mersa that resonated most with the viewers. Outlining that the monitor was accomplished with function, Jesse Royal declared that as we speak’s era of youth is on a mission to impact change.
“This tune is a tune that Jo Mersa and I sang for a cause. We believed within the energy of this era. A number of occasions dem inform yuh say the most effective is already gone… however that is the era of change. That is the era that put individuals over cash, love over hate, and peace over struggle,” he mentioned earlier than prompting the viewers to assist him sing the monitor. Reggae singer Kellissa made a cameo earlier than one other candy shock of Chronixx on-stage. The group erupted as he walked on singing his mega-hit Right here Comes Bother. He delighted followers with a rendition of Skankin’ Candy.
The evening featured many extra electrical performances from the likes of Ras-I, Lila Ike, Jaz Elise, Bugle, Agent Sasco, and Tarrus Riley. And simply when attendees thought issues may get no higher, the Marley clan kicked issues up a notch. Proving simply why the household heads the hierarchy of reggae royalty, Jr Gong, Stephen, Julian, and Ky-Mani Marley served up hit after hit from their late father’s huge catalogue.
Stephen Marley, father of the late Jo Mersa, urged crowd assist as he delivered the monitor Get Up, Stand Up earlier than his brother Jr Gong segued into Warfare/No Extra Bother. Julian and Ky-Mani Marley held their very own with renditions of Working Away and Loopy Baldhead, respectively. The brothers additionally sprinkled their set with bits of their very own tracks.
Inviting particular visitors of their very own, the brothers added to the vibe of togetherness by calling on the likes of Bounty Killer, Capelton, Spragga Benz, Sizzla, and Ib Mahr to carry out a slew of hits, together with collaborative tracks from Remedy, Khaki Go well with, Rockstone, and It Was Written.
The musical occasion got here to a becoming shut at near 2:00 am when Jr Gong delivered his world hit, Welcome to Jamrock.
Skip Marley (proper) joins Yohan Marley on stage because the pair celebrated the lifetime of their relative, Jo Mersa, throughout a live performance on the Bob Marley Museum on Saturday. (Picture: Andre Skeen)
