The album, which is a collaborative effort between Phillip ‘Winta’ James of Overstand Entertainment and Protoje’s entity, Indiggnation Collective, was released on March 10. Two weeks later, the album is on top of Billboard, debuting at number one on the chart. It is followed by Easy Skanking In Boston by Bob Marley and The Wailers at number two, and Vybz Kartel’s Viking (Vybz Is King) at number three.

On his Instagram page, Protoje thanked all who played a part in the early success of the album.

“Give thanks to all artists and musicians involved in the project and to all of you for the support. My first number one album on the Reggae Billboard. @wintafreshness (Phillip ‘Winta’ James) jah bless the day you sent me the riddim for Criminal, which started this whole thing. PLUS my amazing team,” he said.

In a previous Gleaner article, Protoje said the album was much different from his previous efforts, The Seven Year Itch (2011) and The 8 Year Affair (2013), which he described as his introduction.

“When I write lyrics and get to hear them, it’s almost like looking in a mirror,” Protoje said. “I try to be honest to what I was feeling in my chest and speak it to get the chance to reflect and learn from it. The music on this album allowed me the freedom to do so. Working with Winta has really made me into a better artiste in that, having observed me as an artiste over the years, he was able to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses.”

With the album already doing well, Protoje will take on the road with his European tour that starts on Friday with a show in Brixton, United Kingdom. That will be followed by shows in France, Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. On his Instagram page, he also disclosed that the Ancient Future tour will see him doing more than 80 shows.