Protoje and The Indiggnation at Przystanek Woodstock: Jamaican roots and Reggae Revival

An ambassador for the Reggae Revival movement, the creator of many international hits, a gifted lyricist and, above all, an artist renowned for exceptionally energetic concerts… Protoje is one of the stars of the anniversary Przystanek Woodstock!

What is happening in Jamaica today excites fans and music critics worldwide. Reggae Revival, the movement that sparked renewed musical consciousness on this Caribbean island, has already become a global phenomenon, and Protoje is undoubtedly one of its faces. Frontman and leader of The Indiggnation, he is an excellent lyricist whose songs demand justice and give the younger generation’s anger a deeply philosophical expression. Protoje speaks of restoring standards to an art that has declined in recent times and calls for artists to take social responsibility for their words.

Oje Ollivierre was born in the 1980s, although he admits he would rather have arrived two decades earlier. He is undoubtedly one of the new generation of reggae musicians’ most recognisable faces, tirelessly carrying the roots-reggae message in an age dominated by synthetic sounds. Bob Marley’s motto was to free people from mental slavery through music; Protoje’s is to free them through art, of which music is one form. He has become a spokesman for Reggae Revival, a movement bringing together young musicians, writers, painters and literary artists who patiently waited their turn and are now taking the helm.

Protoje’s debut album, “The Seven Year Itch”, burst into the reggae world to highly favourable reviews. David Rodigan himself, the legendary British broadcaster and world-renowned reggae authority, said he was impressed by an album that, in his view, brought an entirely new quality to the music. Meanwhile, the first single, “Rasta Love”, featuring Ky-Mani Marley, has been viewed more than 12 million times on YouTube.

Two years after this success, Protoje released his second album, “The 8 Year Affair”, in February 2013. Less than a week later, it reached number 4 on the Billboard-associated Next Big Sound chart. Next Big Sound described Protoje as one of the younger generation’s fastest-developing artists, distinguished by both artistic quality and consistency. “The 8 Year Affair” also reached the Top Five on iTunes Reggae charts in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

In 2010, the artist began touring intensively, gaining an ever larger following who appreciated not only his music but his commitment and disciplined approach to his career. Events he has visited with The Indiggnation include Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California, Rototom Sunsplash in Spain, Summerjam in Germany and Reggae Sun Ska in France.

Protoje and The Indiggnation continue their mission to restore Roots Rock Reggae’s conscious message to the world.

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