Born Oje Ollivierre, Protoje is the name that reverberates at the core of Jamaica’s musical renaissance. A visionary and an architect of sound, has redefined what it means to be a modern artist, blending the rich heritage of reggae with the fresh influence of hip-hop, soul, and jazz. From his roots in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, the son of Jamaican singer Lorna Bennett and Vincentian calypsonian Mike Ollivierre has a journey marked by passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. He first broke onto the scene with “Rasta Love” ft. Ky-Mani Marley in 2010, released during the rollout of his debut album Seven Year Itch. In 2014, with his iconic track “Who Knows” ft. Chronixx, Protoje became a prominent figure of the “reggae revival” movement. His name is etched alongside the greats with his catalog of albums. He released his seventh album, The Art of Acceptance on April 17, 2026.
The new LP reflects a deeply introspective period influenced by time spent in Ethiopia, reinforcing themes of growth, authenticity, and cultural connection, while featuring a predominantly Jamaican lineup of collaborators like Damian “Jr. Gong” and Stephen Marley, Shenseea, and Masicka. Building buzz through chart-topping singles such as “Ting Loud” ft. Masicka, “At We Feet” ft. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and “Goddess” ft. Shenseea, the project blends live instrumentation with modern production under Winta James, paying homage to reggae’s legacy while incorporating elements of dancehall and hip-hop. Prior to this release, he earned two Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album for Third Time’s The Charm (2022) and A Matter of Time (2018). Protoje has brought his dynamic live performances to global stages including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NPR’s Tiny Desk, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza. But it didn’t stop there—his journey took him to uncharted territory, collaborating with global superstars outside his native genre like Jorja Smith, Alicia Keys, Pa Salieu, Wiz Khalifa. And Protoje’s influence extends beyond just his music. He’s the founder of In.Digg.Nation Collective, a platform built to uplift the next wave of Jamaican talent, which nurtured artists like Sevana, Lila Iké, and Jaz Elise. He is also the founder of the two-day Lost In Time festival in Kingston, now in its third year, spotlighting the present and future of reggae and dancehall. DAZED praised the event for “emphasising how viable reggae is…providing an intergenerational dialogue that allows the genre to thrive.”
Protoje continues to forge new paths in Jamaican music through both his artistry and his entrepreneurial leadership, solidifying him as one of the most dynamic forces in modern reggae. Protoje is a cultural catalyst who’s redefined what it means to be a Jamaican musician in the 21st century. Uncompromising, boundary pushing, and constantly evolving.
