Born in Saint Elizabeth, to singers Lorna Bennett (Breakfast in Bed) and calypso singer Mike Ollivierre, Protoje blends hip hop, soul and jazz into the sounds of his native reggae and dancehall. Over the past twenty years he has released mixtapes, seven studio albums and a host of collaborations with artists such as Jorja Smith, Alicia Keys and Wiz Kalifa. We had a chat to him about his musical jorney ahead of his trip to Australia for WOMADelaide.
You’re heading to Australia, to WOMADelaide soon. What you’re looking forward to?
I’ve never been to that part of the world. So anytime I’m able to go somewhere I’ve never been before, it’s like a milestone. I sometimes I keep track of how many countries I’ve gone to for playing. So, it’s like a great addition. New Zealand and Australia is going to be a very big moment for me.
What was it like growing up in a musical family?
I grew up in Jamaica. It’s good. It was fun. I mean, like my mom and dad were not as active as they were before me and my sister came along, but I would get to see them doing shows and performances and sometimes together. It felt good. It felt like, wow, this is cool. When I got more into music, I was like, I think I can, you know, I can do this. My dad would tell me stories of him, looking at me through the window without, I knowing anyone was there, and I dancing and singing in the mirror. So apparently, I would have had the bug from I was young.
The Seven Year Itch, that was your first album?
That was my first album. I wouldn’t say it’s the best, but it’s my first one, and that one kind of put me out there. “Rasta Love” with Ky-Mani Marley. It’s a major breakthrough for me, and that’s the one that really put me on the map globally. Okay, here’s somebody making a contribution. As I said, big moment for me, like was my first global hit song. And yeah, it’s been onward and upward since then.
You seem to have a lot of family and love and community, is that your inspiration for making music?
Yeah. I mean, the main inspiration is just communicating this whole way to express myself, like people doing various things. You know, we’re all in a way trying to express ourselves, and whether it is the way we dress, the way we talk, the way we walk, we’re communicating. I just found that I had a way with words and expressions, and that’s the way I’ve been communicating, even to my family and my friends. They’re listening to my music, and they can hear me communicating to them through that way. So, it starts with family, community, and then it spreads and goes to everybody else.
You’ve collaborated with a whole range of artists such as Jorja Smith, Wiz Kalifa, Koffee. How do you get these collaborations? Like, do people come to you, or do you search them out?
Yeah, vice versa. Everyone, every collaboration has, like, it’s its own unique thing to it. You know what I mean? Like Chronixx and I just like, we’ve just known each other. We knew each other for like, 3, 4 or 5, years before, who knows. And he was somebody who I linked with. So, it was natural, and Koffee used to listen to my music when she was in high school. So it was just natural that we would link up and then Jorja. I’ve been a fan of Jorja, and I wanted to do something with her, so we linked up and did that. Sometimes when I do a song, like with my song, “A Vibe” with Wiz Khalifa, when I was singing it, I knew it was the feature I wanted specifically for that song. Same with Jorja Smith, it was written with her in mind. So, sometimes it works out like that.
I was watching the video, “Switch It Up” with Koffee, and it looked like you had so much fun making that video.
Yeah, you know what? We made that video. It was in the middle of COVID, and we didn’t see each other for a little while, like we didn’t all link up at the same time for a while. So, it was a chance to see each other, hangout have fun, and we had to still be contained. It was in a contained space. That’s why the whole video was shot in one place with us just catching up and having fun.
You did a big march through the streets for one video.
That’s “I & I”. That was a different time. That was 2013 that’s like, 12 years ago. It’s just about, you know, my career, like, I’m about to drop my second album, Eight Year Affair. Fun young time, you know, with everybody, was still in Jamaica, not touring yet, like not seeing the rest of the world. So was wild.
Your song “Kingston Be Wise” was used on Grand Theft Auto. That must have been some sort of trip.
Well, put it this way. I first got into dub music from playing Grand Theft Auto III, where there was a station called the Blue Ark, I guess named after the Black Ark, Lee ‘Crash’ Perry‘s famous studio. And the station was called the Blue Ark. They would play dub albums on it. That’s what you’re listening to. So, when you go in the car in Grand Theft Auto and you’re driving, you put it on that station. I would drive around listening to that station all the time, and that got me into dub, which got me into a deeper appreciation to reggae. So, for that to happen and then for my song to be on the same game was, was a good full circle moment.
You’ve made seven albums or something like that, but you keep getting inspiration. It must be just inside you, the music, to have it come out.
Well, as long as the will is still there and the community, and I feel like I want to communicate still, is still there, then I’ll keep putting out music. You know, I like to make albums. That’s my thing. I like to sit down and create a project.
On your website you’ve got a children’s book, “Here Comes the Morning”.
“Here Comes the Morning” is a song on my album, Third Time to Try. It’s a song that I wrote for my daughter. Basically, a friend of mine who is a publisher who has two young boys, had an idea to create a children’s book of the song. So, it’s interpretation. It’s different art, but still, you know, there’s visual there’s the drawings for the book, the illustration, story, and everything.
What are you most proud of? What’s your favorite song? Maybe not the most popular, but the one that you like you the most yourself.
I think, “Like Royalty” is my is my favorite song of myself. Just love the realness and the storytelling in it, and great collaboration with Popcaan, you know, one of the best artists of his generation, of all time. And so, so. Good vibes.
Who are you bringing over with you to Australia?
Yeah, my band Indiggnation, we’ve been touring together for like 11 or 12, years now. And, yeah, it’s just crazy to bring some reggae music to Downunder, as they call it, and just see the place. My heart is open to be inspired. I’m sure it I’ll be feeling very up for when I’m there. So, looking forward to the whole experience.
For over 30 years, WOMADelaide has unequivocally been one of the most eclectic celebrations of culture in Australia. Showcasing a rich assortment of music, arts and dance from across the globe – unearthing new talent and programming some of the world’s most admired and accomplished musicians – year after year, audiences flock to Botanic Park to discover, dance, and immerse themselves in the ‘world’s festival.
Artists this year include PJ Harvey, Nils Frahm from Germany, Mariza (Portugal) and Goran Bregović & His Wedding & Funeral Band
There is a rich variety of programming initiatives, including the popular discussion forum of thinkers, scientists, activists, writers, environmentalists, journalists, economists, and communicators, The Planet Talks.
For the foodie Taste the World is a wonderful way to get to know many of the festival’s artists in a relaxed setting, as they share their stories while cooking favourite dishes from home.
The fun and family-friendly KidZone is a dedicated space for children, with nature-play activities, stories, singing, dancing and educational entertainment. Or add to the richness of your WOMADelaide experience by taking part in one of our artist-led workshops.
Food lovers can experience Australia’s Native Table: A Botanic Collaboration at the Sanctuary Restaurant. Bringing together the exceptional talents of Restaurant Botanic, Botanic Lodge, and Blanco Horner Catering, offering a refined dining experience inspired by Australia’s native ingredients and botanical richness. Guests will enjoy a beautifully curated selection of shared entrées and mains that showcase bold native flavours, featuring dishes like pepperberry-rubbed eye fillet and bunya nut paired with sunrise lime.
WOMADelaide plays in Adelaide’s lush Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla from 7-10 March
More information and tickets HERE
