In 2010, Protoje began working with his cousin and popular Jamaican producer Don Corleon. After releasing "Dread", "JA" and "Roll" in 2010, Protoje's debut album, entitled The Seven Year Itch, was released in 2011. The first single off the album dubbed "Arguments" (2009) was responsible for his early popularity in Jamaica. In 2011, he released another single off the album entitled "Rasta Love" featuring Ky-Mani Marley.
His second album, The 8 Year Affair, was released in 2013. "Who Dem A Program" was the first single released from the album followed by "This Is Not A Marijuana Song". "Kingston Be Wise" was heavily promoted via traditional and social media. Protoje cited reggae artist Ini Kamoze and group Black Uhuru as influences when recording the album.
His third album Ancient Future is set for release in September 2014
Arguments
Protoje Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I calm I not Harming them
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
[Verse 1:]
Mi say mi have a problem
Kinda no want to have them
Yet mi kinda no want fi solve them
Woman I want to have them in numbers that's plural
Whether uptown to rural
Not to say I can't settle down
Just try fi let u know I can't settle now
I just a make u know that I tried the monogamy
But I could'nttake all a the naggin in ma noggin b
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free she naa let me be
[Verse 2:]
She say she kick sneakers off again
Her Speakers on again
My Cd is on again gwaan again
No Blunts no dh a yard again
You know she a order dem
No smoke with no other man other than
She say she better than all a them
So mi fi leff all a them
But when mi leff all a dem calling and
Coming over ma yard again until it reach morning then
U know seh dem gone again Arguments
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free... Say Them all have an argument
All Have an argument
So I Calm I not harming them
Yet they all have an argument
[Outro:]
Yeah Yeah and this girl wantss me to know... She wants me to know
But baby girl sitting down at home wants me to know... She naa let me go
She want me to do
Yeah yeah yeah yeah say them all have an argument
So I calm I not harming them
Say them all have an argument
So I calm I not harming dem.dem
Crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
Holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
What does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free... Say Them all have an argument
In this song, Protoje acknowledges having multiple romantic relationships that are all causing arguments. The first verse explains that he doesn't necessarily want to have these problems, but at the same time, he's not ready to settle down and focus on one woman. He jokes that he wants to have women "in numbers that's plural," no matter if they are from upscale or rural backgrounds. Protoje admits that he's tried monogamy but couldn't handle the nagging in his head about other potential partners, prompting all of his current situations.
The chorus of the song features a girl who is crying and holding on to Protoje, making it clear that she's not letting him go. Another girl intervenes, and then there's his ex who keeps "sweating" him and won't set him free. In the second verse, it's revealed that one of the girls refuses to smoke with anyone but him, claiming she's better than everyone else he's seeing. When he decides to let them go, they keep coming back to his yard, starting more arguments.
Overall, "Arguments" seems to grind on the inner conflict and drama that comes with being involved in multiple romantic relationships. The rapper doesn't necessarily seem like he wants things to be this way, but at the same time, he's not ready to make a full commitment to just one person.
Line by Line Meaning
Say them all have an argument
Everyone in my life has an issue or problem with me
So I calm I not harming them
I remain calm and don't react to their arguments or issues
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
One girl is upset and emotional about our relationship
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
This same girl is determined to stay with me and not let go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Another girl is trying to interfere and I don't know how to handle it
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free she naa let me be
My ex-girlfriend won't leave me alone and give me space
Mi say mi have a problem
I admit that I have a problem
Kinda no want to have them
I don't really want these problems
Yet mi kinda no want fi solve them
But I don't really want to solve them either
Woman I want to have them in numbers that's plural
I want to have multiple women in my life
Whether uptown to rural
Regardless of their background or location
Not to say I can't settle down
I'm not opposed to settling down eventually
Just try fi let u know I can't settle now
I just want the current women in my life to know that I'm not ready to settle down yet
I just a make u know that I tried the monogamy
I have tried being with just one woman
But I could'nttake all a the naggin in ma noggin b
But I couldn't handle all the nagging from my partner
She say she kick sneakers off again
One of my partners has taken her shoes off again
Her Speakers on again
She has turned on the music again
My Cd is on again gwaan again
She's playing my CD again and dancing
No Blunts no dh a yard again
We are not smoking weed tonight
You know she a order dem
But she's ordering some anyway
No smoke with no other man other than
She won't smoke with any other men besides me
She say she better than all a them
She thinks she's better than all the other women I'm with
So mi fi leff all a them
So she wants me to leave all the other women
But when mi leff all a dem calling and
But when I do leave them, they keep calling me
Coming over ma yard again until it reach morning then
Showing up at my house until morning
U know seh dem gone again Arguments
You know they're going to start another argument with me
Contributed by Evan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sai Kiran MS
Say them all have an argument
So I calm I not Harming them
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free she naa let me be
[Verse 1:]
Mi say mi have a problem
Kinda no want to have them
Yet mi kinda no want fi solve them
Woman I want to have them in numbers that's plural
Whether uptown to rural
Not to say I can't settle down
Just tryin to let u know I can't settle now
I just a make u know that I tried the monogamy
But I could'nttake all a the naggin in ma noggin b
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free she naa let me be
[Verse 2:]
She say she kick sneakers off again
Her Speakers on again
My Cd is on again gwaan again
No Blunts no dh a yard again
You know she a order dem
No smoke with no other man other than
She say she better than all a them
So mi fi leff all a them
But when mi leff all a dem calling and
Coming over ma yard again until it reach morning then
U know seh dem gone again Arguments
[Chorus:]
And this girl is crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
This Girl is holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
Next girl pre the scene and try intervene what does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free... Say Them all have an argument
All Have an argument
So I Calm I not harming them
Yet they all have an argument
[Outro:]
Yeah Yeah and this girl wantss me to know... She wants me to know
But baby girl sitting down at home wants me to know... She naa let me go
She want me to do
Yeah yeah yeah yeah say them all have an argument
So I calm I not harming them
Say them all have an argument
So I calm I not harming dem.dem
Crying over me dying over me she wants me to know
Holding on and she's bold enough to say she naa let me go
What does she want me to do
Ex-girl keep sweating me she naa set me free... Say Them all have an argument
Luca 379
10 Years of Protoje. 10 Years of Music with 100% wisdom, strenght, love and heart. Seven Year Itch, 8 Year Affair, Ancient Future and A Matter Of Time. What a great journey with pure passion to the music. Seeing you live in Germany last Year was lovely with a dream came true. Wish you all the best and further years with your music. One Love !
Burberry black
TRUE DEFINITION OF TALENT...THE WORLD NEEDS THIS YOUTH,HE REPRESENTS MY CULTURE WELL
IamHim
Remember watching this for the first time ten years ago on the Suzie Q reggae top ten show ,how protoje has grown since then 🙏🏽
Who watching in February 2020?
Tajai Small
Me protoje live on my artist
Y Rush
love the song...love it...he's very talented
evelyne Katy
love this song ❤
Mahomed Bamba
maravilha!!! De volta ao bom velho reggae!
Willow Mystic
Just the quality of his music today shows how much he has grown not saying this bad quality or anything like but when I saw him live at reggae rise up man I easily thought this is one of the best live shows I think I have ever seen his band and him were so tight it was beautiful! He's got great recording but nothing is like his live sound man. Protoje is definitely going to go down as one of the greats!
Chelle
All of these years and I still love it!!!
Atomistic Zero
Definitely a Hit maker!