Protoje: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Abby O'Neill | September 8, 2020
Protoje is a not-so-secret treasure who's been a vital force in the reggae revival movement these last several years. Perched in the hills of Irish Town on the fringe of Kingston, Protoje welcomes us into his backyard (which doubles as The Habitat Studio) for a uniquely fresh spin on a Tiny Desk (home) Concert. With a custom-designed set flanked by lush greens and mountains in the distance, this creative backdrop complements the uplifting feeling of Protoje's music. He speaks to his spiritual philosophy and faith on "Deliverance" with a chorus stating, "I hold my order, give my praises / Oh Jah, deliver me through these days, Jah deliver me / Sometimes really hard to go and face it / Oh this life can truly be amazing, amazing." The accompanying songs in this performance, "Strange Happenings" and "Same So", are also featured on his latest and fifth album, In Search of Lost Time. He wraps his performance with his most recognizable chart-topping hit, "Who Knows," which featured Chronixx on the original recording. All in all, the vibes are plentiful and highly in-demand right about now.

SET LIST
"Deliverance"
"Strange Happenings"
"Same So"
"Who Knows"

MUSICIANS
Protoje: vocals; Peter Samaru: drums; Donald Dennis: bass; Lamont Savory: guitar; Sean Roberts: vocals, drum loop

CREDITS
Video by: Yannick Reid Lindsey Lodenquai Travis-John "Habibi" Bailey Aaliyah Hinds; Audio by: Keinotain Johnson Whitson Williams Jnr Fumiaki "Superman" Ogata Kwame Falconer & STT Entertainment & Production Ltd.; Producer: Abby O'Neill; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producer: Maia Stern; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[YannickReid]

OUTSIDE! Was so fun shooting this! Thanks to the whole team and NPR for sharing the music!

[karmelbythebay]

This the type of desk I’m trying to work at

[maiigican]

Vocals & Playing Violin???? PHENOMENAL

[matthewlloyd]

The other guy kills it with vocals and the violin 🎻

[EasyEV]

Love Protoje, but I also got to shout out to the band. These guys are groovin in the background of so many great sets

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Deliverance* (4:40)
5:20 / 5:52 - *Strange Happenings* (9:26)
10:08 - *Same So* (13:50)
14:27 - *Who Knows* (17:56)

[BcnEggNChz_]

This album is absolutely phenomenal.
I'm not scared to say Album of the year. Such a vibe, just incredible. Bless up proteje

[ericpham]

You should release that version of Who Knows! Such a vibe!!!

[selahjade]

protoje is bae. i discovered him by accident 3 years ago. i found a flyer for his show in NYC on the ground. the show happened to be on the night of my 38th birthday and I had a blessed time. the man can perform LIVE fr fr. so glad he keeps dropping fire. RASSTAAfariii!!

[fignewton]

I'm gonna save this for tomorrow morning and blast it out of speakers during my morning coffee/wake n bake

[shamiirabrown]

Am I the only one obsessed with how the home concert stages are designed?😍 love the artwork!

[kalbrown]

Literally waiting for somebody to ask in the comments who d dude singing backup. Ziah at it again with the vocals 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[omeralsina]

Protoje still blazin ....respect my brother peace and love. Ethiopian love for protoje😍

[kentii]

Gotta See Protoje Live In This Lifetime!
Inna My bucketList

[ElimanGibba]

He is deep, humble & blessed to mention having a good band around him.

[battle_arena]

Real talk these NPR Tiny desk engineers are the greatest. From inside to outside... clarity!! OOOOKAY!!!

[TheGrinerizer]

I return to this video often. Thank you for sharing this moment with us.

[desejoporviajar]

Protoje AND Tiny Desk I almost hurt my finger klicking so fast

[jpromanros]

Deliverance is a masterpeace! Protoje the best so far. Jah bless you!

[lewisgilfillan]

Glad that protoje getting more recognition, he been dope from long time