Jamaican reggae artist Oje Ken Ollivierre works under the stage name Protoje. He grew up in a house filled with music. His father, Mike Ollivierre, was a calypso singer and mother Lorna Bennett was also a singer. His 2005 mixtape, Lyrical Overdose Volume 1, was largely a hip hop affair, but he pivoted to reggae soon after.

He began working with his cousin, Jamaican producer Don Corleon in 2010. He released two singles that year, "JA" and "Roll,” which kickstarted his momentum. His debut album the following year. The Seven Year Itch spawned the single that "Arguments" that accelerated his rise. Over the years, he incorporated elements of hip hop, soul and jazz in his traditional reggae and dancehall sound and release several albums. His was nominated for a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for fifth record, A Matter of Time in 2018 and again in 2022 for Third Time's The Charm. He secured a contract with RCA Records in 2020 that enabled him to create his own label, In.Digg.Nation, as well as mentor rising talent like Lila Iké and Sevana.

His latest project is The Jamaican Situation (Side A), which is both a cinematic and musical enterprise. Protoje describes the film, “The Jamaican Situation tells the story of a man returning home and grappling with his identity amidst the complexities of modern Jamaican life. My music intricately weaves into this narrative, enriching the dialogue and themes explored throughout the film.” The first half of the soundtrack, a five-song EP, is now available,, and the film is slated to be released in 2025. For the music, Protoje enlisted guest artists like IzyBeats (known for Koffee’s “Toast” and “W” ft. Gunna), Iotosh, Ziah.Push, and Zion I Kings. We’ll have to wait for Side B, but it’s certain to be worth it.

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