“Reference” Ethiopian Film Honored by Protoje

Jamaican reggae artist Protoje today premieres the official video for “Reference,” directed by longtime collaborator SAMO, arriving fittingly on Haile Selassie I’s birthday. The song, anchored by the refrain, “Haile Selassie a me reference,” is a meditation on Rastafari, faith and African identity, from his most recent album The Art of Acceptance.Filmed in Ethiopia during Melkam Gena (Ethiopian Christmas), the visual follows thousands clad in white tones carrying candlelight through one of Ethiopia’s most sacred celebrations.Reflecting on the experience, Protoje wrote: “It was an absolute privilege and honor to be amongst Ethiopians for Melkam Gena from Addis to Lalibela.”

The release continues the journey of The Art of Acceptance, an album shaped in part by Protoje’s time in Ethiopia and his ongoing exploration of spirituality, purpose, and self-discovery. Since its release, the project has earned critical acclaim for balancing introspective songwriting with the reggae innovator’s signature blend of roots, hip-hop, soul, and modern Jamaican music.Protoje continues touring in support of the album following recent headline runs across Europe, North and South America. See remaining tour dates below and here.Get The Art of Acceptance: https://ffm.to/protojetheartofacceptance

“13 poignant musical manifestos rooted in Rastafari principles & first-hand experiences of grief & growth.” 
– Billboard, Kyle Denis

“…exquisitely crafted one-drop rhythms, throbbing bass lines and dub reverbs that aren’t diluted for a globalized market.” – New York Times, Pat Meschino

“…a contender for one of the albums of the year…balanced and rewarding listen…measured doses of Protoje’s love for hip hop, dancehall and reggae, using live instrumentation and digital beat making”– Reggaeville, Angus Taylor

“The musical chemistry between Winta James and Protoje is electric on The Art of Acceptance. From the infectious grooves of “Big 45” to “At We Feet,” the 13 songs on the album are grounded in traditional reggae—but with a more modern twist.” – SPIN, Kyle Eustice

REMAINING TOUR DATES:

 July 25 — Reggae on the Mountain — Topanga, CA

August 21 — Rototom Sunsplash — Benicàssim, Spain

August 29 — Uprising Festival — Bratislava, Slovakia

September 11 — Rialto Theatre — Tucson, AZ

September 12 — Fremont Street Experience — Las Vegas, NV

September 13 — Ace of Spades — Sacramento, CA

September 15 — Fremont Theater — San Luis Obispo, CA

September 16 — Golden State Theatre — Monterey, CA

November 11–16 — Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise — Miami, FL.

Protoje, born Oje Ollivierre, is the name that reverberates at the core of Jamaica’s musical renaissance. A visionary and an architect of sound, has redefined what it means to be a modern artist, blending the rich heritage of reggae with the fresh influence of hip-hop, soul, and jazz. From his roots in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, the son of Jamaican singer Lorna Bennett and Vincentian calypsonian Mike Ollivierre has a journey marked by passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.

He first broke onto the scene with “Rasta Love” ft. Ky-Mani Marley in 2010, released during the rollout of his debut album Seven Year Itch. In 2014, with his iconic track “Who Knows” ft. Chronixx, Protoje became a prominent figure of the “reggae revival” movement. His name is etched alongside the greats with his catalog of albums. He earned  two Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album for A Matter of Time (2018) and Third Time’s The Charm (2022) and widespread critical acclaim. Protoje has brought his dynamic live performances to global stages including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NPR’s Tiny Desk, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.

But it didn’t stop there, his journey took him to uncharted territory, collaborating with global superstars outside his native genre like Jorja Smith, Alicia Keys, Pa Salieu, Wiz Khalifa. And Protoje’s influence extends beyond just his music. He’s the founder of In.Digg.Nation Collective, a platform built to uplift the next wave of Jamaican talent, which has nurtured artists like Sevana, Lila Iké, and Jaz Elise. He also co-founded and curates the Lost In Time Festival, one of Kingston’s largest reggae festivals, showcasing both emerging talent and some of the island’s biggest stars