Protoje was born Oje Ken Ollivierre on June 14, 1981 into a musical family. His mother, Lorna Bennett, is an Attorney-at-law and reggae icon, best known for the 1972 hit, 'Breakfast in Bed.' His father, Michael Ollivierre, also known as Lord Have Mercy, is a notably successful athletics coach and former Calypso King in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Born and raised in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, young Protoje attended the Santa Cruz Preparatory School before moving on to the prestigious Munro College, where he demonstrated more than a marginal interest in music. It was not long before he helped to spearhead the Vendetta Sound System, cooperating with the likes of his cousin, Donovan "Don Corleone" Bennett, who is now a regular chart-topping producer.

Coming from such a talented family, and especially being exposed to his parents' era of music, it is no surprise that Protoje is rising to prominence in his own time. On his upcoming and very introspective debut album, The Seven Year Itch, he experiments much with dub and his love of 70's and 80's reggae, especially Black Uhuru and Hugh Mundell, is apparent. From silky melodies to hard-hitting lyrical barrages, Protoje recites life as he experiences it, not as he imagines it.

With his 2008 releases, "Arguments" and "Dread," featuring the local airwaves, 2009 promises to be one of notable significance to Protoje's musical emergence. There is little doubt among critics that he will see remarkable success very soon. Not just a mere musician but a student of music, Protoje's dedication to his craft will place him among history's most prolific artists.

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