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This Is Not a Marijuna Song

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Quick Facts

Born
1981

From
Jamaica

Journey

Born into a deeply musical household in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, Oje Ken Ollivierre, better known as Protoje, was practically destined for the stage. The son of Jamaican vocalist Lorna Bennett and Vincentian calypsonian Mike Ollivierre, he initially honed his creative edge in hip-hop before embracing his roots in reggae. After making early waves with his 2005 mixtape "Lyrical Overdose, Vol. 1," Protoje launched his full-length debut, "The Seven Year Itch," in 2011, establishing himself as a central figure in bringing modern Jamaican reggae to a global audience. Protoje’s subsequent catalogue established a distinctive approach rooted in reggae and dub while drawing from hip-hop, soul and jazz. "The 8 Year Affair" (2013) broadened his international profile, and "Ancient Future" (2015) became an important release within Jamaica’s reggae revival. Its standout collaboration with Chronixx, “Who Knows,” further connected Protoje with a growing generation of Jamaican artists. He continued developing his artistic direction through "Royalty Free" (2016), "A Matter of Time" (2018), "In Search of Lost Time" (2020) and "Third Time’s the Charm" (2022). The latter three records form a thematic sequence centered on time, introspection and the shifting conditions of life. His collaborations have extended across generations and genres, bringing together musicians such as Ky-Mani Marley, Popcaan, Koffee, Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, Jorja Smith, Wiz Khalifa, Alicia Keys and Pa Salieu. Protoje has twice received Grammy recognition in the Best Reggae Album category. "A Matter of Time" earned a nomination at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, while "Third Time’s the Charm" was nominated at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023. Neither release won the award. His influence also extends into artist development. Through In.Digg.Nation Collective, Protoje established an independent Jamaican platform that has helped nurture artists including Sevana, Lila Iké and Jaz Elise. He later released "In Search of Zion" (2023), a dub-focused reinterpretation of "In Search of Lost Time." With his recording work, collaborative projects and support for emerging Jamaican talent, Protoje continues to build a career connecting reggae’s traditions with wider musical ideas and international audiences.