Jayhugh Smith, known by his stage name Prote-J, is a Papua New Guinean-American rapper and songwriter who is achieving success in the American music industry. He has performed with major artists like Busta Rhymes. Prote-J is currently visiting PNG to reconnect with his roots and collaborate with local artists. He is changing his stage name to Jay Lieasi to represent PNG on a global scale and put PNG's music and culture on display for international audiences.

1. 2 Sunday Chronicle Sunday May 10, 2015
By Staycey Yalo
H
E 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 here in his mother land to
touch base with his PNG roots, The Sunday
Chronicle Weekly Magazine caught up with
the star on Wednesday when he took time out
of his busy schedule for an interview. This is
part one of a two part interview with Prote-J
that we will feature next week.
Smart, down to earth, handsome and a
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 Angeles 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 spear fishing. 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 7
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, dAdiGii, 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’matapointwherewiththisnamechange;
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.
Index
Entertainment P2 – 4
Arts & Artist P5
Gossips P6
The Weeks Profile P7
Health P8 – 9
Food & Recipes P10
Pikinini P11
The WeekOut P12 – 13
It’s in the Stars P14
Fun & Crossword P15
Motoring P16
TV Guide P17-23
Movie Review P24
Contacts
MANAGING DIRECTOR:
Wesley Raminai
woraminai@yahoo.com.au
WEEKLY MAGAZINE EDITORIAL:
Editor: Matthew Vari
sundaymagazine.png@gmail.com
Reporter: Fidelis Sukina
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Reporter: Stacey Yalo
staycey.yalo@gmail.com
ADVERTISING:
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Telephone: 325 1273, 323 3241,
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Email: sundaymagazine.png@gmail.com
Send in your entertainment and arts event dates and descriptions in to
sundaymagazine.png@gmail.com for free publication in our What’s Going On??? section
Traffic Lights Party
The Cosmopolitan, Port Moresby
Saturday 16th May
Booty Comp
Hosted by Russel and Darryl
Door Charge: K30 from 9pm
AUSTRALIA WEEK LIVE CONCERT
The Lamana
Gold Club,
Port Moresby
The Australian
High
Commission
Papua New
Guinea
presents the
AUSTRALIA
WEEK LIVE CONCERT 7pm Thursday
28th May, 2015.
Enjoy a show with headliner Fatai (2012
The Voice Australia semi finalist and most
recently main support act to both Guy
Sebastian and David Ryan Harris).
Also performing on the night PNG artists
Mereani Masani, Naka Blood,Sprigga
Mek Music & featuring PNG Idols and
beatboxing double duo Noizik.
K25 entry with proceeds going to charity.
Tickets can be paid for at the Gold Club
gates on the night or presold at Lamana
Hotel’s reception.
11th Gogodala Canoe Festival
Balimo Town Western Province
5th to 6th June 2015
Every year the Gogodala Canoe Festival
between April and May and features
beautifully crafted canoes of each of the
Gogodala people’s four tribes racing each
other.
This is an ancient Gogodala practice and
attracts visitors from all over the world
every year. *
Entertainment
Prote-J no more- PNG/American Superstar
changes name to put PNG
on Global map