Protoje was born Oje Ken Ollivierre on June 14, 1981 into a musical family. His mother, Lorna Bennett, is an Attorney-at-law and reggae icon, best known for the 1972 hit, 'Breakfast in Bed.' His father, Michael Ollivierre, also known as Lord Have Mercy, is a notably successful athletics coach and former Calypso King in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Born and raised in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, young Protoje attended the Santa Cruz Preparatory School before moving on to the prestigious Munro College, where he demonstrated more than a marginal interest in music.