There is an exci,ng resurgence of conscious, organic music in Jamaica, and industry experts and observers agree that Protoje, born Oje Ken Ollivierre, is playing an important role in what has become known as the "Reggae Revival.”
Leading the militant band - The Indiggna,on - this powerful songwriter and philosophical thinker ar,culates the righteous anger of an emerging genera,on. Protoje reports for duty, re-establishing the standard for the decaying art of socially responsible, mentally s,mula,ng lyricism.
Protoje has successfully released three studio albums: his debut album THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (2010), THE 8 YEAR AFFAIR (2013) which spawned the hits Rasta Love * Ky-Mani Marley, and Kingston Be Wise which featured on the soundtrack for the video game Grand TheZ Auto; and ANCIENT FUTURE (2015) which featured the interna,onal hit Who Knows * Chronixx which topped charts worldwide and has amassed over 50 million+ views on YouTube.
February 2017 saw the release of Protoje’s hit single Blood Money. The poli,cally-charged track, wriaen by Protoje and produced by Ancient Future collaborator Winta James, dominated the airwaves and dancehalls, and became an instant topic of conversa,on due to the lyrical potency of the song. Blood Money was selected by Jamaican Radio Personality and Pan African Ac,vist Mutaburuka as the number one reggae song of 2017.
The follow-up single Truths & Rights was delivered in September 2017. The song also produced by Winta James, features up-and- coming Reggae ar,st Mor,mer on the chorus, and similarly expresses their commitment to the ac,vism that remains at the core of reggae music.
Protoje's visibility has steadily increased. Named on BBC 1xtra’s Hot for 2015 Ar,ste list, he has since appeared on the UK’s biggest music television show - BBC’s Later With Jools Holland; recorded two sessions at BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale, and has featured regularly on numerous BBC Radio 1Xtra shows.
Protoje has sold out headline UK, US, and European tours. He is a firm favourite at fes,val’s throughout the world, performing at the likes of Glastonbury, Coachella, Reading & Leeds, Boomtown, Summer Jam, Musa, Esperanzah, Afro-Punk, and Canada’s Pemberton Music Fes,val. Many appearances were broadcast on na,onal television and have set things up for a huge 2018.