One of the busiest Jamaican artistes, Protoje set for another busy year, starting on Sunday in Australia. Ahead of the world tour, he celebrates soundsystem culture with ‘BIG 45’
Protoje, set for another world tour (Photo: Samo)
One of the busiest Jamaican artistes on the global stage in recent years, Protoje is gearing up for yet another packed year. The two-time Grammy-nominated reggae star is set to embark on a world tour spanning March and April, with stops across Europe, Australia, and North America.
The tour kicks off on March 9 at Australia’s WOMADelaide festival before heading to Europe, with stops in Aarau, Switzerland; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne in Germany; and Copenhagen, Denmark.
In April, Protoje begins the U.S. leg of the tour with a performance at the Reggae Rise Up festival in Tempe, Arizona, followed by stops in Miami, Atlanta, Asheville, and more.
Before taking the stage worldwide, Protoje returns with his new single BIG 45, dropping on Friday, March 7, via his In.Digg.Nation Collective/Ineffable Records label.
A powerful tribute to sound system culture, 'BIG 45' is produced by his In.Digg.Nation Collective/Ineffable Records label and Winta James, the mastermind behind Protoje’s hits like 'Who Knows' and 'Switch It Up' featuring Koffee. The track, which he has been teasing at live shows and on social media, has already received an overwhelmingly positive response.
"'BIG 45’ is a reggae and dancehall anthem. it's talking about soundsystem, it's talking about live music. This song came up whilst I was in soundcheck in Germany. My band started to play a vibe and I connected with it. The moment we started it, everybody got excited because we knew it was one of those ‘bring everyone together’ type of songs to make you move and rise up," the singer said.
In the accompanying video, directed by SAMO, Protoje performs the bass-heavy track as he and his crew transport speaker boxes through the streets—an homage to the Jamaican sound system culture that has shaped his career. Carrying the torch for this foundational element of reggae music, Protoje continues to honor the island’s rich musical heritage while bringing it to a global stage.
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