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
Criminal
Protoje Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the youths them mind
Now, it's harvest time
Wo
Them a criminal watch it them a criminal
Seh them a criminal the whole a dem a criminal
Them a criminal watch it them a criminal
Them a criminal
Nah follow them
Take what them want then them gone back again
Them a criminal
Nah guh them feist
Tell em we nuh retreat we just gone to the east
Them a criminal
But a we follow jah law
Seet dem a gwaan with them tra la la la
Them a criminal
Them a criminal
Na nah na na
Jah a DI main shield
The eye them stay peel
The music stay real
Pickney pon the play field
Baby in the stomach
Mommy know the pain real
Headphone pon har belly
Watch him stay still
See how the son a shine
See how the reign feel
Jah beg yu keep him dry
I beg and pray fi him
Fi DI man dem weh a chop it up a Grange Hill
Fi DI man dem weh a cut it Inna cane field
Dem lock up Leonard Howell fi sell Selassie face
Dat couldn't stop the message this a Selassie place
A that you hear we reppin ask about what happen
Pon September 11, 1987
Then them kill we bretheren Tosh and Free I
So Rasta Reggae Radio could never see the light
Gwaan No believe in I, say I a Levi
Trod with the Simeon So act like u nuh see me
Them a criminal
Nah follow them
Take what them want then them gone back again
Them a criminal
Nah guh them feist
Tell em we nuh retreat we just gone to the east
Them a criminal
But a we follow jah law
Seet dem a gwaan with them tra la la la
Them a criminal
Them a criminal
Na nah na na
The Son arise before the sun arise
Some despise it a so me summarise it
See some a eyes it wah sit weh I sit
Create a crisis but jah come give me ises
Uh huh Them send them dogs to the synagogues
But the lions align against the giunea-gogues
Mr. Inquisitor caa go see it pause
Home of Marcus, His Majesty did visit yaad
Me envision them timing a go critical
Dem select the pawn fi lef' it sticky poon we
Walter did warn we, Boukman did born deh
And go Haiti and revolution start, yeah
The same man dem in a Jacket and tie
A dem a pack the supply and attract you to buy
But that is a lie just fi try stack it up high
Well I never oblige I attack and survive
Them a criminal
Nah follow them
Take what them want then them gone back again
Them a criminal
Nah guh them feist
Tell em we nuh retreat we just gone to the east
Them a criminal
But a we follow jah law
Seet dem a gwaan with them tra la la la
Them a criminal
Them a criminal
Na nah na na
Them a criminal watch it them a criminal
Seh them a criminal the whole a dem a criminal
Them a criminal watch it them a criminal
Seh them a criminal the whole a dem a criminal
Protoje's "Criminal" is an insightful and thought-provoking song that highlights the significance of the proverbial phrase "you reap what you sow." The song is filled with powerful metaphors, and the artist uses his lyrics to bring attention to the lack of accountability among certain groups of people, particularly those who exploit others for their gain. Protoje urges his fans to question the world around them and to take a stand against injustice.
The song begins with the lines "sowing the seeds of life, in the youths them mind, now it's harvest time." These lyrics suggest that what we plant in young minds will grow and be reflected in their actions as they grow older. Protoje then goes on to highlight the criminal activities conducted by those who have been sowing the wrong seeds. He repeats the phrase "Them a criminal" several times, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Protoje calls out the criminals and urges listeners to steer clear of them and their activities.
Protoje then addresses the issue of accountability and how criminals often evade being held responsible for their actions. He sings, "Nah follow them, take what them want then them gone back again," suggesting that the criminals take what they want and then escape from the consequences of their actions. Protoje also highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and standing up for what is right, as he sings, "Tell em we nuh retreat we just gone to the east."
In conclusion, Protoje's "Criminal" speaks volumes about the world we live in and the need for accountability, fairness, and justice. The artist uses the song to urge his fans to stand up against injustice and to take a stand against those who sow the wrong seeds.
Line by Line Meaning
Sowing the seeds of life
Planting the fundamentals of life
In the youths them mind
Within the minds of our young generation
Now, it's harvest time
It's time to reap what has been sown
Them a criminal watch it them a criminal
They are criminals, watch out for them
Seh them a criminal the whole a dem a criminal
They say they are not criminals, but they all are
Nah follow them
We will not follow them
Take what them want then them gone back again
They take what they want and disappear
Nah guh them feist
We will not fight them
Tell em we nuh retreat we just gone to the east
We will not retreat, we will go to the east
But a we follow jah law
We follow the law of Jah
Seet dem a gwaan with them tra la la la
See them behaving carelessly and recklessly
Na nah na na
No, no, no
Jah a DI main shield
Jah is our main protector
The eye them stay peel
We stay alert and aware
The music stay real
Our music remains authentic
Pickney pon the play field
Children playing on the field
Baby in the stomach
Pregnant woman carrying a baby
Mommy know the pain real
The mother knows the pain of childbirth is real
Headphone pon har belly
Headphones on her belly
Watch him stay still
Watching the baby remain calm
See how the son a shine
Look how brightly the sun shines
See how the reign feel
Feel how refreshing the rain is
Jah beg yu keep him dry
Jah pleads for the baby to be kept dry and safe
I beg and pray fi him
I beg and pray for the baby
Fi DI man dem weh a chop it up a Grange Hill
For the men who work in Grange Hill
Fi DI man dem weh a cut it Inna cane field
For the men who work in cane fields
Dem lock up Leonard Howell fi sell Selassie face
They imprisoned Leonard Howell for promoting Selassie's image
Dat couldn't stop the message this a Selassie place
That couldn't stop the message, this place is Selassie's
A that you hear we reppin ask about what happen
That's what you hear us representing, ask about what happened
Pon September 11, 1987
On September 11, 1987
Then them kill we bretheren Tosh and Free I
They killed our brethren Tosh and Free I
So Rasta Reggae Radio could never see the light
So Rasta Reggae Radio could never broadcast freely
Gwaan No believe in I, say I a Levi
They say I'm a Levi, don't believe me
Trod with the Simeon So act like u nuh see me
I walk with Simeon, so act like you don't see me
The Son arise before the sun arise
The Son of God arises before the sun rises
Some despise it a so me summarise it
Some hate it, so let me summarize it
See some a eyes it wah sit weh I sit
Some want what I have
Create a crisis but jah come give me ises
They create a crisis, but Jah gives me blessings
Them send them dogs to the synagogues
They send their dogs to the synagogues
But the lions align against the giunea-gogues
But the lions align against the oppressors
Mr. Inquisitor caa go see it pause
Mr. Inquisitor cannot handle the truth
Home of Marcus, His Majesty did visit yaad
Marcus Garvey's home, His Majesty visited our homeland
Me envision them timing a go critical
I can see the current situation becoming critical
Dem select the pawn fi lef’ it sticky poon we
They choose the weakest to exploit us
Walter did warn we, Boukman did born deh
Walter warned us, Boukman was born there
And go Haiti and revolution start, yeah
Then in Haiti, the revolution began
The same man dem in a Jacket and tie
The same men in suits
A dem a pack the supply and attract you to buy
They provide and sell the goods to you
But that is a lie just fi try stack it up high
But it's a lie, just to make more money
Well I never oblige I attack and survive
I don't comply, I attack and survive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT SHAKESPEARE, LOWELL DUNBAR, INI KAMOZE, OJE OLLIVIERRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jhonmendoza3371
This man makes nothing but hits
@akunamatatah1621
Fax 👍😁they 💤😴🛌
@juliolua2104
Modern day Bob Marley maybe even past Dem... Nothing but fire from this burning bush here. Much love big brotha. Never stop what you do. 🙏🙏🙏🎶🕯️👀💓
@salaguilera1711
When I play Protoje..This track is a must... living in a world of criminals some behind bars and some behind a desk.
@TheMAnimal617
Sin weaves through all of our lives and we each have to face it down alone you me trump rothschild all will be alone with Our God one day and must know it. We are all worms in Leviathan’s stomach today not tomorrow though.
@marconelli7089
@@TheMAnimal617 un
@marconelli7089
@@TheMAnimal617 oooo
@jaydunn1237
Get ready Doc Guam!! Tighten your bars bitchs!! I'm coming 🕺🤬
@akunamatatah1621
Some behind you in the gas station line🤨
@noknownthrone2487
I can't get enough of Protoje lately... ALWAYS hits the vibes!