Prote-J no more- PNG/American Superstar changes name to put PNG on Global map

Published in Sunday Chronicle's Sunday Weekly Magazine: Sunday, May 10, 2015

 

He is right where he wanted to be, the young lad from Suau in the Milne Bay Province is one star that is turning heads in America.

Famously known as Prote-J, Jayhugh Smith, is a lyricist, song writer and producer who has shared the stage with big name Artists such as Busta Rhymes, and opened for artists like J.Cole, Big Sean, Curren$y, Mac Miller, and more.

Currently back in his mother land to touch base with his PNG roots, The Weekly Magazine caught up with the star on Wednesday when he took time out of his busy schedule for an interview. This is a part one of a two parts interview with Prote-J published in Sunday Chronicle Weekly Magazine.

Smart, down to earth, handsome and his mommy's boy is just a few words PNG comedy King, Elton Kili used to describe the 26 year old American PNG lad.

Born in Orlando, Las Angelus from an American father, as Jayhugh Smith, Prote-J grew up in the island of suau until he was 12 years old.

 Living in that small island with his mother and grandmother, he spent his days at the sea with the boys spearing fish. And that is exactly what Prote-J does today when he goes back to his Suau Island.

 At a young age, he knew his love for music would make him a well known artist one day.

“Honestly, this is what I always envisioned my life to be and I think that was key for me because I never lost sight of that vision. When I decided at a very young age that I want to do music in my life, literally every second up till now and moving forward is dedicated to that.  

“It’s really important for an artist to set a big picture goal, when you set a long term goal; it’s easier to navigate through those short term decisions because you know where you wanna end up.” Said Prote-J

 

 He started playing the guitar at the age of seven and started to rap when they would sing at the church in Suau.

His passion for rap grew when he moved back to United States at the age of 12 and learnt American Culture and fell in love with hip-hop.

Raised by his paternal grandmother Prote-J stayed close to home (PNG) where he kept in touch with his mother back in the country.

Being his mom’s only child, Prote-J admitted that it was tough for him to be far away from mom.

"My mother would call or I would call and she would speak to me in suau. That’s how I am fluent in suau even though my pidgin is not that good," said Prote-J with grin.”

Currently back in the country and spending more time with mum, Prote-J is also working closely with some top name PNG artists such as Meriani Masani, dAddi Gii, Delma Minei, Taz and Gunai Muro’s from the late 60’s.

Collaborating with PNG Artists such as Meriani Masani, dAdi Gii and Delma Minei, he just released a team PNG song for the Pacific Games that he wrote.

“I’m really proud of it. I feel like it really represents PNG. It something that is very PNG but the sound of it is very modern, progressive and I think it will be something that everyone will be proud of. I’m so excited to put it out there. We got the kids singing on there from the good news ministry youths. It’s just a collaborative effort that everyone would be proud of.

Prote-J will be in the country for a while as he tries to reconnect with his PNG roots to bring a new taste to his music that would not only represent him but PNG as well.

If you think that’s all his doing, guess again!

Jayhugh Smith is also changing his name from Prote-J to Jay Lieasi!

“I’m at a point where with this name change; I want to get on a even greater or global scale. I want to be a brand that will represent Papua New Guinea that will be known in every continent. Just knowing that PNG is the core of my brand, my logo represents PNG, and my name is from PNG and even my music will be infusing local PNG music. I just wanna take everything to a whole new level and than just show people that we can operate on a global standard…” Said Prote-J.

Lieasi, his real middle name, in Suau means to blossom and the name change from Prote-J to Jay- Lieasi comes as timely as he plans to not only take his PNG infused music to the world at large but his name as a PNG Brand.

He is currently working on his project to re-release his album; Me verses time.

“It’s a play on words, it’s basically three beings throughout so it’s me, the verses that are really like rap verses in the song and time. So I’m re-releasing it as a short album that will actually come out in the next couple of months,”

The release of the album will be songs that came out already but will be completely redone and would be fresh for fans. The album will be his first project as Jay-Lieasi that would be released around the games with another new album that will come out towards the end of this year.

With a positive mindset at a very young age, he is progressing very well and is expected to return from Kokopo, East New Britain Province, and today after a concert with Delma Minei at Gazelle International.