Protoje Meets Tippy I – Philadelphia, PA

Protoje, born Oje Ken Ollivierre on June 14, 1981, is a Jamaican reggae artist and songwriter. He hails from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Protoje emerged as one of the leading figures in the contemporary reggae revival movement, which sought to bring back the roots and consciousness of classic Jamaican reggae while infusing it with modern sounds and perspectives.Growing up, Protoje was exposed to various musical influences, including reggae, hip-hop, and dancehall. He began his music career in the mid-2000s, initially gaining attention with his mixtape releases. In 2010, he released his debut album, “The Seven Year Itch,” which featured hits like “Arguments” and “Rasta Love” featuring Ky-Mani Marley. The album received critical acclaim and established Protoje as a rising star in the reggae scene.Protoje’s music often addresses social and political issues, reflecting his commitment to using his platform to advocate for change and empowerment. His lyrics are characterized by their thought-provoking content and poetic storytelling.Subsequent albums like “The 8 Year Affair” (2013) and “Ancient Future” (2015) further solidified Protoje’s reputation as a leading voice in modern reggae. Tracks like “Who Knows” featuring Chronixx and “Answer to Your Name” resonated with audiences worldwide and garnered millions of views on streaming platforms.Protoje continued to evolve his sound with albums like “Royalty Free” (2016) and “A Matter of Time” (2018), the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. His music combines elements of reggae, dub, hip-hop, and soul, creating a distinctive and dynamic sound that appeals to a diverse audience.In addition to his solo career, Protoje is also a co-founder of the independent record label In.Digg.Nation Collective, which aims to support and promote emerging Jamaican artists.Protoje’s contributions to reggae music have earned him widespread acclaim and respect within the industry, and he continues to push boundaries and inspire audiences with his music and activism.

Tippy I is a multifaceted artist and producer known for his contributions to dub music. Musician, Producer, and Audio Engineer: He co-founded I Grade Records, a key player in putting Virgin Islands reggae on the map [Virgin Islands Nice: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred on Reggae, St. Croix + The Future of the USVI]. He’s also part of the Zion I Kings production team and has produced music beyond reggae, including hip hop, soul, and film scores [Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred – Soundtoys].