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
On the road
Protoje Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why I'm moving moving through
Like I do
Why you crying girl, I not lying girl
I said I'm on the road making dough
When you start it touch my heart but yeah I'm just doin'wah me haffi do
What's it worth to you, know it hurt you
When I'm leaving that's the reason, this a just sup'n wah you haffi know
I'm trying to make my money baby
So I can have my baby money so baby momma don't blame me
And since I been my mummy's baby
I been writing knowing that one day this thing go pay me
So in class I was lazy, always a wish fi get so busy
Pon the rhymes said it was crazy
Initially then I just wanted to know this lady
'Til I grow to love her and she grow to hate me
I say the marriage ship sank
Fi me walk the aisle come in like pirate a walk plank
I couldn't jump in the deep end even though these feelings did deepen
I couldn't cease with the...
Never know she coulda meet up with a another brother
That she woulda rather kick it all night with
Have a feeling she understand the reasoning say the music a me healing
And she alright with it
Spend her time, tell her thoughts pon my mind, my concerns of this kind
She responds like this
Preliminary she a tell me say she very contrary to the one dem wah
She see me yesterday with
And I find it hard to find a broad abroad like wah me find a Yard
Body deh foreign, the mind deh yah
Money short and dem time deh hard so lyrics tight every time record
In Protoje's "On The Road," the artist speaks about the struggles of pursuing his passion, which happens to be music. He acknowledges that it is not easy being on the road and away from his loved ones, but he needs to make enough money to support himself and those who depend on him. He asks his girlfriend not to cry and reminds her that he is not lying about being on the road for work. He values her and loves hearing her voice express her emotions, but he can't sacrifice what he needs to do. In the second verse, he talks about his upbringing and how he has always known that music was his calling, even though he did not always apply himself in school. His love for his girlfriend grew, but so did his love for music, and it became clear that he could not have both. He mentions how he was not ready for marriage and compares it to walking the plank like a pirate, and he could not dive "into the deep end" of a serious relationship. He knows that he can lose her to someone who has more time and money to devote to her, but he trusts that she understands him and the struggles he faces.
The song highlights the sacrifices that artists make to pursue their passions, a theme that resonates with many people. The lyrics express the artist's remorse for not being able to spend as much time with his loved ones as he would like, but he also acknowledges the necessity of pursuing his dreams. The song also touches on the fear of losing loved ones to someone who can offer more time and money, which is a struggle for many people pursuing their passions. The mix of reggae, hip hop, and dancehall beats makes the track catchy and enjoyable while conveying a serious message.
Line by Line Meaning
I say the movement moving
I am observing the actions of the society and its people
That's why I'm moving moving through
This observation motivates me to keep moving forward
Like I do
This is my usual method of operation
Why you crying girl, I not lying girl
Don't cry, I am telling the truth
I said I'm on the road making dough
I am currently working hard to make money
When you start it touch my heart but yeah I'm just doin'wah me haffi do
Your tears affect me emotionally, but I must continue doing what I have to do
What's it worth to you, know it hurt you
I know that my actions hurt you, but ask yourself if it's worth it
But you know I love to hear my baby go
I love to hear you express your feelings, even if they are negative
When I'm leaving that's the reason, this a just sup'n wah you haffi know
When I leave, it's for a good reason and you must accept it
I'm trying to make my money baby
I am working hard to earn money
So I can have my baby money so baby momma don't blame me
I need to earn enough money to support my child and avoid criticism from the mother
And since I been my mummy's baby
I have been my mother's child since birth
I been writing knowing that one day this thing go pay me
I have been writing music with the hope that it will bring me success in the future
So in class I was lazy, always a wish fi get so busy
I was not motivated in school and always wished to be busy with my music
Pon the rhymes said it was crazy
People thought I was crazy for pursuing music instead of academics
Initially then I just wanted to know this lady
At first, my interest in her was purely out of curiosity
'Til I grow to love her and she grow to hate me
Over time, I fell in love with her, but she ended up hating me
I say the marriage ship sank
Our relationship failed and we did not get married
Fi me walk the aisle come in like pirate a walk plank
It would have been difficult for me to commit to marriage
I couldn't jump in the deep end even though these feelings did deepen
Despite having strong feelings for her, I was unable to fully commit to the relationship
I couldn't cease with the...
I was unable to stop pursuing my passion for music
Never know she coulda meet up with a another brother
I did not expect her to meet someone else
That she woulda rather kick it all night with
She preferred spending time with someone else
Have a feeling she understand the reasoning say the music a me healing
I believe she understands that music is therapeutic for me
And she alright with it
She accepts my passion for music
Spend her time, tell her thoughts pon my mind, my concerns of this kind
We would spend time together discussing my thoughts and concerns
She responds like this
Her response is as such
Preliminary she a tell me say she very contrary to the one dem wah
Initially, she told me that she does not like the other women she saw me with
She see me yesterday with
She saw me with someone else the day before
And I find it hard to find a broad abroad like wah me find a Yard
It's difficult for me to find a woman abroad like the ones I find in Jamaica
Body deh foreign, the mind deh yah
Her body is foreign, but her mind is still Jamaican
Money short and dem time deh hard so lyrics tight every time record
Money is scarce and times are tough, so I make sure my lyrics are excellent every time I record a song
Contributed by Audrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
echolot
imma say it now, im here from his 2017 europe tour
lineman life a yaad
Jus here as a fan of his music
Don Goliath
Why do all Dancehall productions after the 90s sound like trash? Idk but I produced some wicked golden era Dancehall riddims lately. Come listen dem in my chan.
253goon
first