Ahead of the release of his short film The Jamaican Situation, Switch It Up singer Protoje debuted his five-track soundtrack/EP of the same name on Friday.
Born Oje Ken Ollivierre, Protoje has released several musical projects since rising to popularity with songs such as Rasta Love featuring Ky-Mani Marley. Among his catalogue of albums and EPs are his earlier works such as Seven Year Itch, The 8 Year Affair, Ancient Future, Royalty Free, and his more recent projects, A Matter of Time, In Search of Lost Time, and Third Time’s The Charm.
Earning Grammy nominations for A Matter of Time and Third Times The Charm, the St. Elizabeth native has become a standout among a new generation of artistes shaping contemporary Reggae. Protoje’s latest project, The Jamaican Situation (Side A), also stands out, as the project serves as part 1 (Side A) of the soundtrack of his yet-to-be-released short film.
While fans of the artiste will have to wait until 2025 to watch the film, the first half of the soundtrack is now available. Featured on the EP are 30 Million, Mariposa, Where We Come From featuring Jahshii, 80’s Wild, and Barrel Run. In addition to the EP’s release, Protoje also dropped the music video for the track Barrel Bun today.
In Barrel Bun, Protoje evokes a sense of helplessness that many Jamaicans may resonate with as they grapple with a poor economy, crime, violence, and the unfairness of a system that creates inequality.
“Catch a stray when AK spray. Three head fly weh pon one scene. Two more gone ova Papine. Why we people suffer so. What they see is what they know. No need to plea, no mercy show. And want to flee, nowhere to go,” Protoje sings on the track.
In contrast to the sense of powerlessness created by the Jamaican system that Protoje conjures in Barrel Bun‘s first verse, the artiste affirms in the song’s chorus that we must all still make a choice.
“It depends pon what you choose. Fi make it out or make it pon the news. The system yah rough. Everybody wicked and tough. Every man wha lock a one shoes. Good or bad, nuh man nuh wah lose. The system yah rough. Everybody wicked and tough.”
Watch Barrel Bun’s music video below.
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