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Oje Ken Ollivierre (born 14 June 1981), popularly known as Protoje, is a Jamaican of Afro-European heritage, a contemporary reggae singer and songwriter. His mother is Jamaica singer and lawyer Lorna Bennett, best known for her 1972 rendition of "Breakfast in Bed".Johnson, Richard (2015) " 'My best work yet': Protoje pours it all in latest set", Jamaica Observer, 11 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015 His father is a former Calypso music singer Mike Ollivierre from the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
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. The hashtag #KBW was used on Twitter. The song "Kingston Be Wise" (a remake of Ini Kamoze's song "England be nice") was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V on the in-game "Blue Ark" radio station, increasing its popularity further and making an international name for the reggae artist. Protoje cited reggae artist Ini Kamoze and group Black Uhuru as influences when recording the album.
In December 2014 Protoje was included on BBC Radio 1Xtra's 'Hot for 2015' list." Protoje Makes BBC 1xtra's Hot For 2015 Artiste List", Jamaica Gleaner, 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014
His third album Ancient Future was initially set for release in September 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 but was put back until March 2015." Protoje To Release 'Ancient Future' Album", Jamaica Gleaner, 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015 Produced by Phillip "Winta" James, the album includes the song "Who Knows", a collaboration with Chronixx, which was released as a single. Two tracks from the album, "Answer to Your Name" and "Criminal" were released ahead of the album as exclusives on the England Be Wise mixtape for BBC 1xtra DJ Toddla T. Two weeks after its release it topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.Brooks, Sadeke (2015) " Protoje Tops Reggae Billboard Chart", Jamaica Gleaner, 26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015 "Who Knows" was certified Silver by BPI in 2022.
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 a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.
On 27 March 2020, Protoje joined Chronixx on a remix of Alicia Keys' song Underdog.Collins, Latoya (2020) " Alicia Keys Recruits Chronixx & Protoje For ‘Underdog (Remix)’: Listen", DancehallMag, 27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020
On 13 April 2020, Protoje announced a new label deal with RCA Records. The deal allowed him "a certain level of creative control" and included artists Lila Iké and Sevana who he had been mentoring under his own In.Digg.Nation label.Leight, Elias (2020) " Protoje Announces Label Deal With RCA", Rolling Stone, 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020Williams, Shirvan (2020) " Protoje, Lila Iké And Sevana Sign Major Deal With U.S. Label RCA Records", DancehallMag, 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020
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.
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