Protoje

Oje Ken Ollivierre, known professionally as Protoje, was born on June 14, 1981, in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. He hails from a musically inclined family; his mother, Lorna Bennett, is a renowned Jamaican singer and lawyer, celebrated for her 1972 hit "Breakfast in Bed." His father, Mike Ollivierre, is a former calypso singer from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Raised in a household steeped in musical heritage, Protoje was exposed to a diverse array of musical genres from an early age, influencing his eclectic style. Protoje's musical journey began in 2005 with the release of his debut mixtape, "Lyrical Overdose Volume 1," which showcased his hip-hop influences and lyrical prowess. This mixtape marked the beginning of his professional music career.

In 2010, he began collaborating with his cousin, producer Don Corleon, leading to the release of several singles, including "Dread," "JA," and "Roll." His debut studio album, "The Seven Year Itch," was released in 2011, featuring the hit single "Arguments," which garnered significant attention in Jamaica. His second album, "The 8 Year Affair," released in 2013, included the popular tracks "Rasta Love" featuring Ky-Mani Marley and "Kingston Be Wise," the latter of which was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. In 2015, Protoje released "Ancient Future," which featured the international hit "Who Knows" featuring Chronixx. The song topped charts worldwide and has amassed over 70 million views on YouTube. Protoje's 2018 album, "A Matter of Time," received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album.

The album included the politically charged single "Blood Money," which was selected by Jamaican radio personality and Pan-African activist Mutabaruka as the number one reggae song of 2017. In 2020, he announced a new label deal with RCA Records, allowing him greater creative control. The deal also included artists Lila Iké and Sevana, whom he had been mentoring under his own In.Digg.Nation label. Later that year, he released his fifth studio album, "In Search of Lost Time," which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Protoje's sixth studio album, "Third Time's the Charm," was released in 2022 and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The album further solidified his position as a leading figure in the reggae revival movement. In 2023, he reimagined his 2020 album with "In Search of Zion," a deep dive into the experimental realms of dub, showcasing his fearless exploration of sound. Beyond his musical achievements, Protoje is the founder of In.Digg.Nation Collective, a platform built to uplift the next wave of Jamaican talent, nurturing artists like Sevana, Lila Iké, and Jaz Elise.

His influence extends beyond music; he is a cultural catalyst who has redefined what it means to be a Jamaican musician in the 21st century. Uncompromising, boundary-pushing, and constantly evolving, Protoje is not just part of the conversation; he is creating it. As of July 2025, Protoje continues to be an active force in the reggae scene. He has announced upcoming performances at major festivals, including Reggae Geel in Belgium on August 1, 2025, and Reggae Land in the UK on August 2, 2025. Additionally, he is set to perform at the One Love Reggae Festival in Austria on August 9, 2025, and No Logo Bzh in France on August 10, 2025.