Protoje’s ‘Lost In Time’ Festival Was The ‘Best Of Jamaica On Display’
Those who attended Protoje’s inaugural Lost in Time festival on Saturday night are still reeling from the star-studded and largely well-executed show, which also featured surprising guest performances from Chronixx, Ky-Mani Marley, Popcaan, and Aidonia.
The four unscheduled music stars joined Protoje on stage to close out the night’s event at Hope Gardens lawns in Kingston, Jamaica. It was quite a surprise for fans after witnessing early performances from Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, Mortimer, Samory I, Tessellated, Jaz Elise, Naomi Cowan, Ras-I, and Yaadcore.
UWI Senior Lecturer Damien King noted that the festival was “the best of Jamaica on display. Order, punctuality, the culture, oneness, vibes.”
Another attendee declared, “Who can touch @Protoje right now?! Lila, Jesse, Aidonia, Mortimer, Ky-Mani Marley, Chronixx?! just tell me where to leave my bank account details so you can empty it Diggy. Every cent worth and more #LostinTimeFest.”
Acts like Jaz Elise delivered a stellar set, performing songs like Fresh & Clean and Rock And Groove backed by dancing and even a sign language interpreter.
Tessellated left fans wanting more after performing tracks such as Rendezvous, while neo-soul singer Mortimer cruised through numbers like Lightening.
Decked in a voguish-yellow ensemble, Naomi Cowan put on quite the show covering Marcia Griffith’s I Shall Sing and other songs in her catalog such as Peace of Mind, and Climbing.
Lila Iké, who had several vibrant wardrobe changes, captivated audiences with touching performances of her singles like Where I’m Coming From and True Love.
“No doubt @LilaIkeJa is love & light. She cares so selflessly about bettering the lives of others. (Folks needed medical attention at #LITFestival & Lila paused her set to sing a prayer.) May the positive energy she gives always return to her in abundance. More life, Lila,” tweeted one fan about her performance.
Before returning to join Protoje on stage, Jesse Royal delivered crowd pleasers such as Modern Day Judas, and This Morning.
Protoje would close out the show, performing several of his massive hits, including Royalty, Charm, and Hills before calling out Ki-Mani Marley to perform their collab Rasta Love.
Surprise guest artist Chronixx took the stage with Protoje, and in case anyone had any doubts about their bond, Chronixx made sure to set the record straight.
“Mi know dem man yah from dem a bout 18/19 an’ dem man yah ah general. It makes no sense you try to go around it, an’ find any excuse. Dem yah man yah, trust me… but wi haffi seh big respect an’ to all a di I dem weh deh yah ‘cause a lot of you have been here so big respect,” the Dela Splash singer expressed genuinely while looking directly at Protoje.
In addition to 2015’s Who Knows, which is certified Silver in the UK, the two have since collaborated on other tracks, namely: No Guarantee (2018), Flames (2018), and the Underdog remix (2020) with Alicia Keys. And, Chronixx has even lent his uncredited voice to the chorus of Protoje and Koffee ‘s Switch It Up (2020).
After performing songs like Dela Splash and Nah Follow, the Here Come Trouble singer said he was up for an unexpected clash!
“Dem a send out artist fi mi clash,” he said, and as the suspense quickly built, Dancehall star Aidonia stepped out on the stage.
As the crowd lost their minds, there was another surprise guest appearance from Popcaan, who was joined by the return of Jesse Royal.
Popcaan was elated to be on the same stage as fellow industry greats early Sunday morning, and thanked Protoje for helping to nurture Reggae music.
“Hey Proto! Yuh si di work weh yah do musically mi respect it heavy. Mi appreciate it, mi endorse it, an’ dis is wah di music give. Love an’ unity…,” he said before being interrupted by Protoje who responded, “Memba a you seh Unruly Fest enuh. A you lead out enuh. Yuh inspire di I, suh wi a do work weh yah do. Yeah man a di example, seen?!”
The first staging of Unruly Fest was held in December 2018 at Goodyear Oval in St Thomas. It was a completely sold-out event, which saw thousands of local and international fans turn up to see the deejay, special guests Drake and Tory Lanez, and other entertainers live. It has not been held in Jamaica since 2019.
The Lost In Time Festival was held to commemorate Protoje’s 2020 album In Search Of Lost Time.
The 10-track album was released globally in August of that year via In.Digg.Nation Collective/Six Course/RCA Records and was the 41-year-old’s fifth studio album, following his A Matter of Time album, which copped a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2019.
His latest album Third Time’s The Charm also received a Grammy nod at this year’s staging of the prestigious awards. However, Kabaka Pyramid walked away with it for his project—The Kalling.
Fans have taken to social media to express how incredible the Lost In Time festival was, and particularly their shock at seeing all the surprise guest performances.
“Bredda all now mi Cyah believe Aidonia come on. Chronixx was expected ino… not so much for Popcaan tho… but where did Aidonia even come from???? I stood there in shock for about a good 5 mins. Me ina mi bed rn and still a try process,” said one person.
“I love how Protoje and his team have created this Lost in Time event experience. They have put a massive and refreshing stamp on the Entertainment Scene and now they own this weekend if they choose. The branding. Music. Food. Merch. Congrats. More pls, another person tweeted.
Check out more commentary from fans below: