I understand you are from my parish in Jamaica. What part of St. Elizabeth are you from?

Santa Cruz, Jamaica.

How did you first become involved with music?

I started off in a musical family, my mother and father are both singers. Music played a huge role in my family.

Tell us a little about the music your parents did.

My mother did the song “breakfast in bed” and my father did Calypso. He is from St. Vincent.

Is your father’s family still living in St. Vincent?

Most of the family has relocated.

Who are you currently working with, in terms of music and management?

At this time I work through my own Production Company and extended family. DJ Karim did the production for arguments. I just finished working with Don Corleon on a track called Dread and we have a couple others working on.

Is the company based out of Saint Elizabeth?

No it is based out of Kingston.

Why Protoje?

My name is Oje, even though most people know me as Diggy.

How are you being received by the music business?

It has been good, I was surprised. You have to understand, I spent a lot of time doing music. We tried before to convince others to get on their riddim. That did not work out, so we decide to do our own production, and build our own brand so others can see the work is worthwhile.

How long have you known the guys you work with?

My in House producer Chris Cooper i have known since high school. Evaflow who also writes and performs, I have known since I was ten. His father and my dad are best friends. The lead guitarists I have known for seven years. We spoke about doing this our entire life.

How is your mother involved in the company?

My mother plays a huge role. She manages the day to day operations of the business. My sister Leann “Dreamseeker” Ollivierre is also involved. She directed the music video for arguments.

Are you fusing elements of different Caribbean music into your style?

Most of my music has been Dub and older Reggae. My dad taught me the story telling part, I would find clever ways to talk about things in my music. Once I start to travel a little more I am sure I will blend more elements.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

My thing is performing; I want a couple albums under my belt. I want to tour and spread the music to the people.

What part of the Island influences your music most?

St. Elizabeth-this place makes me feel natural. A majority of my writing is done here. I spend a lot of time in South St.Elizabeth-I get a lot of inspiration here.

Is it safe to say you like the country? [Laughs]

I live up in Stony Hill, so I am real Country Baby. I have to be surrounding by Bush. [Laughs]  Jamaica has 14 parishes and sometimes they treat it like it is one.

What is the seven year itch?

They always say a married man get antsy after seven years. I use that in the sense that I have been doing music for seven years. The album is me scratching the proverbial itch. I will not be putting the music one side. It is me staying true to the music.

When is the album being released?

No release date for the album, we are loosely shopping it around but we want to sell it while traveling and performing.

Is there anyone you want to hail up?

Hail up Billy Mystic, formerly the lead singer for Mystic Revealers. He keeps a thing in Bull Bay called JAMNESIA. It is held every other Saturday. He is doing a lot for Jamaica, it has done a lot for my career.