Protoje to make North American debut

Reggae artiste Protoje has been selected for a showcase performance during the 25th staging of the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, from March 13 to 18.

According to his manager Lorna Bennett, Protoje's participation in SXSW will be the focal point for the launch of a North American and Latin American marketing and promotional campaign throughout 2012. Members of Protoje's management team will also be attending SXSW to participate in the trade exhibition and other business-networking activities.

SXSW is the largest music, film and interactive media-and-entertainment trade event in North America and is expected to attract over 50,000 participants this year. Protoje and his Indiggnation Band will make their debut North American appearance at SXSW on Saturday, March 17, at the popular live reggae club Flamingo Cantina.

Over the past three years, Protoje's profile and popularity have grown significantly within the Jamaican market under the guidance of music producer Don Bennett of Don Corleon Records and House of Diggy, the artiste and events management company run by his mother and manager Lorna Bennett. To date, he has recorded and released one full-length CD/album 7 Year Itch, a 23-track mix CD This is Protoje, and five promotional music videos. Protoje has performed on major local festivals such as Reggae Sumfest and toured Europe twice in 2011.

Protoje's participation in SXSW 2012 is being sponsored by Digicel.

The full 10-day film, music and interactive entertainment event will run from March 9 to 18 in Austin, Texas.