Protoje
| Protoje | |
|---|---|
 Protoje at Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oje Ken Ollivierre |
| Also known as | Diggy, Proto |
| Origin | Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae Dub Live Music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, deejay |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website |
protoje |
Oje Ken Ollivierre popularly known as Protoje, is a contemporary reggae singer and songwriter from Jamaica. His mother is Jamaican singer, Lorna Bennett, best known for her 1972 rendition of "Breakfast in Bed".[1] His father is a former calypso king from the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Music career
Protoje was first discovered by many people for his 2005 mixtape published Lyrical Overdose Volume 1 . Recorded were mostly hip-hop influenced songs. With a guest appearance by Busy Signal , however, his future career was leveled as reggae and dancehall artist.In 2010, Protoje began working with Don Corleon Records, run by his cousin[2] and popular Jamaican producer Don Corleon.[3] After releasing "Dread", "JA" and "Roll" in 2010, Protoje's debut album, entitled The Seven Year Itch, was released on 25 January 2011. The first single off the album dubbed "Arguments" (2009) was responsible for his early popularity in Jamaica. In 2011, he released another single off the album entitled "Rasta Love" featuring Ky-Mani Marley. "The Seven Year Itch" charted no. 2 in Canada, no. 3 in the USA and no. 4 in France.
His second album, The 8 Year Affair, was released 12 February 2013. "Who Dem A Program" was the first single released from the album in January 2012. "This Is Not A Marijuana Song" was released on that summer. "Kingston Be Wise" was heavily promoted via traditional and social media. On the day of its release, 5 November 2012, the music video became the most viewed YouTube link among internet users in Jamaica. The hashtag #KBW was used on Twitter. Protoje cited reggae artist Ini Kamoze and group Black Uhuru as influences when recording the album.[4]
In December 2014 Protoje was included on BBC Radio 1Xtra's 'Hot for 2015' list.[5]
His third album Ancient Future was initially set for release in September 2014,[6] but was put back until March 2015.[7] Produced by Phillip "Winta" James, the album includes the song "Who Knows", a collaboration with Chronixx, which was released as a single.[1] Two weeks after its release it topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.[8]
Discography
Mixtapes
- 2005: Lyrical Overdose Volume 1
- 2011: This Is Protoje
- 2013: Music From My Heart
Albums
- 2011: The Seven Year Itch
- 2013: The 8 Year Affair
- 2015: Ancient Future
Singles
- 2009: "Arguments"
- 2010: "Dread"
- 2010: "JA"
- 2010: "Roll"
- 2011: "Rasta Love" (featuring "Ky-Mani Marley")
- 2012: "Who Dem A Program"
- 2012: "This Is Not A Marijuana Song"
- 2012: "Kingston Be Wise"
- 2013: "I&I"
- 2013: "Resist Not Evil"
- 2014: "Who Knows" (featuring Chronixx)
- 2014: "Stylin'"
- 2015: "Answer To Your Name"
- 2015: "Bubblin'"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Johnson, Richard (2015) "'My best work yet': Protoje pours it all in latest set", Jamaica Observer, 11 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015
- ↑ Henry, Krista (28 March 2011). "All in the family – Cousins Protoje, Don Corleon share their love for music". Jamaica Star.
- ↑ Bishop, Marlon (2013). "5 Dancehall Producers Dropping Fire". MTV Iggy.
- ↑ Saxon Baird (7 January 2013). "Protoje: Reviving Reggae in Jamaica". Afropop Worldwide.
- ↑ "Protoje Makes BBC 1xtra's Hot For 2015 Artiste List", Jamaica Gleaner, 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014
- ↑ Dyer, Deidre (2014) "Interview: Protoje on the Reggae Roots Revival and His Low-Key Love of Pop Music", The Fader, 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014
- ↑ "Protoje To Release 'Ancient Future' Album", Jamaica Gleaner, 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015
- ↑ Brooks, Sadeke (2015) "Protoje Tops Reggae Billboard Chart", Jamaica Gleaner, 26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015