Emerging from Jamaica’s “Reggae Revival” movement, Protoje has become one of the key figures redefining contemporary roots reggae. His music – built on layered percussion, warm basslines, and a vocal delivery that feels both effortless and deliberate – moves beyond sound and becomes feeling. On May 1, that infectious energy defined his sold-out show at Brighton Music Hall, where fans gathered down the block even before doors opened to experience his music. Appealing to listeners of all generations, his performance transformed into a form of collective healing, bringing people together through resilience, celebration, and a shared love for Reggae music.
Born Oje Ollivierre in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, Protoje has spent over 15 years reshaping contemporary reggae by pushing its boundaries. Blending roots reggae with dancehall, hip-hop, soul, jazz, dub, and R&B, he has built a sound that honors tradition while expanding its future. As the founder of In.Digg.Nation Collective, he has also created a platform for emerging Jamaican artists, often sharing the stage with collective members.
Fresh off the release of The Art of Acceptance on April 17, through In.Digg.Nation Collective and Ineffable Records, Protoje arrived in Boston with a set shaped by passion and musical artistry. The 13-track project features collaborations with Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Masicka, and Shenseea, highlighting his ability to move fluidly between reggae’s roots and its modern evolution. Blending selections from across his catalog with newer material, the performance highlighted an artist whose music remained just as vital as it was at the start of his career.
NESTA WARMS UP THE ROOM
Opening act NESTA, a Jamaican-American artist from Queens, New York, started off the night with an energy that felt like a breath of fresh air. As he took the stage, the crowd cheered his name. Embodying a lovers rock sound often missing from today’s music, his songs blended the melodic warmth of reggae with modern R&B textures layered beneath the production, balancing softness and groove.
The highlight of his performance came with his dreamy single “Worthwhile,” where his voice floated effortlessly over a smooth, romantic melody that carried a flirty energy like a dream you didn’t want to wake up from. Singing a melody of “Drop dead gorgeous / Look at you / Yeah you the one no me never need two” paired with the classic Reggae drumbeat, NESTA created a tropical atmosphere reminiscent of island sounds. Suave and intentionally sensual, the song felt undeniably made for the ladies, affirmed by the crowd who responded instantly, moving with the rhythm as he delivered each line with ease and charm. It’s no surprise that the track has generated over a million plays, especially with its widespread attention across social media. Making its way from the studio to the stage in Boston, the song made every woman in the room feel seen, and several women could be spotted with their eyes closed, swaying to the rhythm and singing every word back to him.
PROTOJE TAKES THE STAGE
Anticipation built as the stage crew finalized the setup before Protoje’s entrance. Among them was Gavin “Dutty Bookman” Hutchinson, Protoje’s long-time touring manager and a key figure in the Reggae Revival movement, known also as an author, DJ, and publisher. He stepped forward and called out to the crowd: “Are y’all ready for Protoje?” The response was immediate – a wave of cheers, claps, and whoops erupted through the venue, filling the space with suspense just moments before the artist took the stage.
Just as the energy in the room reached its peak, Protoje stepped onto the stage with his dynamic and gifted band: Lamont “Monty” Savory on lead guitar, N’namdi Robinson on rhythm guitar, Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis on bass, Paris Dennis on keyboard, Peter Samaru on the drums, and Justine Rookwood and Shanice Phillips on the background vocals.
As he danced onto the stage, the crowd met his energy with an abundance of cheers. He opened with “I&I” from his 2013 album, The 8 Year Affair. Mid-performance, he gestured toward backing vocalist Shanice Phillips with a playful “go on and show off,” drawing her into the spotlight as she delivered a powerful, gospel-tinged vocal that cut through the mix and lifted the energy of the room. Consistent with his approach to live music, Protoje also highlighted his lead guitarist Savory and drummer Samaru, each stepping into the spotlight for solo moments – a testament to his collaborative ethos as a live performer.
MUSIC AS CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY
Throughout his performance, the crowd moved with the music, voices rising in unison as long-time fans and newer listeners met the moment together. Performing “Rasta Man” from his debut album 7 Year Itch, which he made with Ky-Mani Marley, solidified the unification amongst the audience. The track, released 15 years ago, carried undeniable weight in the room, setting the tone for the energy that followed. The song’s themes of love and resistance mirrored the diversity of the room, where audiences across generations and backgrounds sang every word together.
Following “Rasta Man,” Protoje acknowledged the moment’s significance before shifting the energy forward and introducing a track from his newly released album The Art of Acceptance. The transition marked a clear shift in pace as he moved the set into newer material, keeping momentum building inside the room. Protoje consistently encouraged audience participation throughout the performance, inviting fans to sing and move with him rather than simply observe.
When he sang “Feel It,” it felt like a romantic dream with a soulful melody layered over a steady, powerful drumbeat, blending sensual reggae and jazz into a smooth, flowing groove. The song’s ethereal quality unfolded as he sang, “Is this a dream? / Am I awake? / Moon on your skin / Hands ’round your waist / Music is love / And I hear your tune a play / The way how you moving got me feeling aware / Aware / Aware,” leaning into themes of intimacy, presence, and emotional connection. The soft, breezy delivery gave the track a warm, summery feel, fitting for an audience ready for lighter days ahead.
Produced by renowned Jamaican producer Winta James, the track carried his signature sonic approach. Together, they crafted a laid-back, down-tempo groove that feels immersive, as though one is inside the music itself. The repetition of “Baby, tell me can you feel it” mirrored the looping rhythm of the drums and melody, while Protoje’s warm vocal tone wrapped the room in a soft, atmospheric energy that felt like a warm hug. Considering this is a track he had described as one that expanded his audience and brought more people to his shows, that sentiment felt fully realized in the room. Looking around, it was impossible not to notice that you could, in fact, “feel it.”
ROOTS, RESILIENCE & REGGAE EVOLUTION
A crowd favourite arrived when Protoje performed “Ting Loud” from his new album. Opening with a drum pattern reminiscent of 1980s Gussie Clarke-era dancehall, the track immediately bridged old-school reggae foundations with a more modern dancehall edge. Protoje’s reflective delivery on the lines, “No, you can’t let nothin’ get in your way / They’ll always be someone with something to say / And more times than often, they don’t know your pain / And still you survivin’; live life and give praise,” anchored the song in themes of resilience, gratitude, and survival. The original version features Masicka, a Jamaican dancehall artist known for his sharp lyrical delivery and aggressive, rhythm-driven flow, whose presence added urgency and intensity, pushing the track further into a contemporary dancehall space while still grounded in reggae tradition.
Protoje’s performance of “BIG 45” became one of the defining moments of the night. Released in March 2025, the track had already established itself as a modern anthem. Kicking off with a punchy kick drum, dry snare, and stripped-back groove, the song locked into a steady, commanding rhythm. The bassline moved with a slow, marching weight, while dub-inspired production elements sent echoes and reverb cascading through the room. Protoje’s commanding vocal delivery heightened the intensity as he chanted verses centered on survival, resilience, and spiritual grounding. When the hook landed, the room became fully unified, with the audience singing back in unison as the track transformed into a collective moment of resistance, unity, and cultural pride.
Thick sub-bass and repetitive guitar lines sustained the hypnotic energy, echoing the movement of the crowd as the song shifted between intensity and reflection. As Protoje effortlessly delivered, “Oh, it is a blessing fi me see another day / Never lose your faith when trouble come inna yuh way,” the track opened into a more reflective space, grounding its message in gratitude and spiritual endurance rooted in reggae’s tradition of finding strength through faith, framing survival itself as a blessing.
It is important to note that “BIG 45” also feels like a tribute to Jamaican sound-system culture, one of the foundations of how reggae and dancehall music are experienced today. In Jamaican music history, the sound system was more than just speakers – it was the club, community center, battleground, and heart of cultural expression. Inside the venue, the heavy bass, repetitive groove, and collective chanting shifted the performance into something larger than a concert moment: it became a shared celebration of Jamaican musical culture.
MUSIC THAT LINGERS BEYOND THE STAGE
In a world that often feels fractured and overwhelming, Protoje repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing “positive energy into the world.” He created moments of reflection, healing, unity, and love, reminding listeners of music’s power to bring people together and serve as a bright light in the world. His live performance felt both timeless and forward-thinking, honoring roots reggae and sound-system culture with modern textures and influences.
At a Protoje show, you cannot help but close your eyes and truly feel the music. Heavy basslines, hypnotic grooves, and spiritual undertones pulled the audience into a shared emotional space. It never felt forced; instead, the music carried a calming sense of solidarity that spread throughout the room. Protoje may present himself with calmness and restraint, but there is no denying that he is a force of nature: one whose music continues to bring light, cultural richness, and positivity into an increasingly heavy world.