REGGAE singers Protoje, Jesse Royal, and Lila Iké received a grand send-off on Monday night at 33 Constant Spring Road in St Andrew prior to embarking on a month-long ‘Lost In Time’ North American tour.

Lindsey Lodenquai, creative director at New Wave — the entity responsible for hosting the event — said it exceeded expectations.

“The party itself was great, with our amazing crop of DJs Franco, Brush1, Laing D and Heatwave Fatalic. And then to have a mini stage show with the artistes who passed through, what more could you want on a Monday night?” asked Lodenquai.

The venue was packed to capacity as many guests turned out to see the acts in concert before they ventured to international stages. There were also surprise performances from Sevana, Beenie Man, D’Yani, Jaz Elise, Chi Ching Ching, and Samory-I.

The tour kicks off on September 9 in Atlanta, Georgia, and winds down on October 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The acts will make stops in Washington DC, New York, Chicago, and California.

According to Lodenquai, it was the most appropriate way to showcase the three acts.

“Everyone was available at this time and we figured, why not?” she shared with the Jamaica Observer.

Guests were grateful to have been part of Monday’s festivities.

Cosmetologist Sherine Bramwell said reggae has always been her favourite genre.

“I love all three; and even though it’s a Monday night, I had to be here. I’m probably the hugest reggae fan in the world and I wish them all the best,” she told the Observer.

Max Chin shared similar sentiments.

“Dem artiste yah ah some ah di baddest fi ever come outta Jamaica,” the engineer said.

All three artistes have steadily been making waves within the musical arena.

Last year Jesse Royal was nominated for his first Grammy Award for his album Royal. The album was produced by Grammy-winning reggae producer Sean Alaric who produced most of the album, along with Royal himself, Natural High, Dretegs, Iotosh, Yared “Boomdraw” Lee, Romario “Runkus” Bennett, and Wayne “Unga Barunga” Thompson.

Jesse Roayal was also nominated for the fans’ choice 2021 Album of the Year award by Surf Roots TV & Radio for his album Royal.

Protoje, principal of the In.Digg.Nation label, has mentored and worked with several fast-rising acts including Sevana, Lila Iké, Jaz Elise, Naomi Cowan, and “Grammy Kid” Koffee. In 2020 he announced a new label deal with RCA Records. His most prominent works include Ancient Future, The 8 Year Affair, and Rasta Love featuring Ky-Mani Marley.

Meanwhile, Lile Iké made her official debut in April 2017 with Biggest Fan. Her songs include Second Chance, Where I’m Coming From, and Solitude.