Protoje
Protoje | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Oje Ken Ollivierre |
Also known as | Diggy, Proto |
Born | 14 June 1981 |
Origin | Saint Elizabeth,Jamaica |
Genres | Dub,reggae |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter,deejay |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | |
Website | protoje |
Oje Ken Ollivierre(born 14 June 1981),[1]popularly known asProtoje,is a Jamaican ofAfro-Europeanheritage, a contemporaryreggaesinger and songwriter. His mother isJamaicansinger and lawyerLorna Bennett,best known for her 1972 rendition of "Breakfast in Bed".[2]His father is a formercalypsosinger Mike Ollivierre from the island nation ofSaint Vincent and the Grenadines.[3]
Music career
[edit]He was born inSaint Elizabeth, Jamaica.[1]Protoje first gained notice for his 2005 mixtapeLyrical Overdose Volume 1,featuring mostly hip hop-influenced songs. With a guest appearance by Busy Signal, however, his future career was leveled as a reggae and dancehall artist. In 2010, Protoje began working with Don Corleon Records, run by his cousin[4]and popular Jamaican producer Don Corleon.[5]After releasing "Dread", "JA" and "Roll" in 2010, Protoje's debut album, entitledThe 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" featuringKy-Mani Marley.
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, with "This Is Not a Marijuana Song" following mid-year. "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.[citation needed]The hashtag #KBW was used on Twitter. The song "Kingston Be Wise" (a remake ofIni Kamoze's song "England be nice" ) was featured in the video gameGrand Theft Auto Von the in-game "Blue Ark" radio station,[6]increasing its popularity further and making an international name for the reggae artist. Protoje citedreggaeartistIni Kamozeand groupBlack Uhuruas influences when recording the album.[7]
In December 2014 Protoje was included onBBC Radio 1Xtra's 'Hot for 2015' list.[8]
His third albumAncient Futurewas initially set for release in September 2014,[9]but was put back until March 2015.[10]Produced by Phillip "Winta" James, the album includes the song "Who Knows", a collaboration withChronixx,which was released as a single.[2]Two tracks from the album, "Answer to Your Name" and "Criminal" were released ahead of the album as exclusives on theEngland Be Wisemixtape forBBC 1xtraDJToddla T.[11]Two weeks after its release it topped theBillboardTop Reggae Albums chart.[12]"Who Knows" was certified Silver byBPIin 2022.[13]
On 14 June 2016, Protoje released Side B of his fourth studio album,Royalty Free,as a free download to the public on his website.
His 2018 album,A Matter of Time,received aGrammy Awardnomination in the Best Reggae Album category.[14]
On 27 March 2020, Protoje joinedChronixxon a remix ofAlicia Keys' songUnderdog.[15]
On 13 April 2020, Protoje announced a new label deal withRCA Records.The deal allowed him "a certain level of creative control" and included artistsLila IkéandSevanawho he had been mentoring under his own In.Digg.Nation label.[16][17]
On 28 August 2020, Protoje released his fifth studio album In Search Of Lost Time, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
On 23 September 2022, Protoje released his sixth studio album Third Time's The Charm, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and has secured him a Grammy Nomination.[18]
Discography
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Ruhr_Reggae_Summer_2017_MH_Protoje_12.jpg/220px-Ruhr_Reggae_Summer_2017_MH_Protoje_12.jpg)
Mixtapes
[edit]- 2005:Lyrical Overdose Volume 1
- 2011:This Is Protoje
- 2013:Music from My Heart
- 2015:Kingston Be Wise (Toddla T Meets Protoje)
Albums
[edit]- 2011:Seven Year Itch
- 2013:The 8 Year Affair
- 2015:Ancient Future
- 2016:Royalty Free
- 2018:A Matter of Time
- 2020:In Search of Lost Time(Deluxe version released in 2021)
- 2022:Third Time's the Charm
Singles
[edit]- 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 (Militancy Riddim)"(Overstand Entertainment)
- 2014: "Who Knows"(featuringChronixx)
- 2014: "Stylin'"
- 2015: "Answer to Your Name"
- 2015: "Bubblin'"
- 2015: "Sudden Flight"(featuringJesse RoyalandSevana)
- 2017: "Blood Money"
- 2018: "Bout Noon"
- 2018: "Criminal" '
- 2020: "Switch It Up"
- 2021: "Still Blooming"(featuringLila Ikéand Izy Beats)
- 2022: "Hills"
- 2022: "Family" (featuring Jesse Royal)
References
[edit]- ^ab"Protoje age, hometown, biography".Last.fm.Retrieved30 October2019.
- ^abJohnson, Richard (2015) "'My best work yet': Protoje pours it all in latest set",Jamaica Observer,11 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015
- ^MacLeod, Erin (12 March 2015)."Protoje: 'I wanted to capture the history of Jamaican music'".Theguardian.Retrieved30 October2019.
- ^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.
- ^Metro.co.uk, Metro Music Reporter for (3 October 2013)."Rockstar reveals definitive GTA 5 radio station song list".Metro.Retrieved28 August2015.
- ^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
- ^"England Be Wise Mixtape".soundcloud.4 February 2015.Retrieved26 August2015.
- ^Brooks, Sadeke (2015) "Protoje Tops Reggae Billboard Chart",Jamaica Gleaner,26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015
- ^"British certifications – Who Knows".British Phonographic Industry.Retrieved27 February2022.
- ^Bonitto, Brian (2018) "It's Protoje's time",Jamaica Observer,12 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018
- ^Collins, Latoya (2020) "Alicia Keys Recruits Chronixx & Protoje For ‘Underdog (Remix)’: Listen",DancehallMag,27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020
- ^Leight, Elias (2020) "Protoje Announces Label Deal With RCA ",Rolling Stone,13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020
- ^Williams, Shirvan (2020) "Protoje, Lila Iké And Sevana Sign Major Deal With U.S. Label RCA Records ",DancehallMag,13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020
- ^"Protoje's 'Third Time's The Charm' First Week Album Sales Are In".DancehallMag.4 October 2022.Retrieved4 October2022.