By PNG Bulletin – Port Moresby
Few artists carry the spirit of a nation as proudly and consistently as Jason Hershey, known to all as O-Shen. Though born in the U.S., O-Shen was raised in Papua New Guinea, and it was in PNG that his heart and identity were truly shaped. From the moment he burst onto the music scene with CHM Supersound in 1997, O-Shen became a trailblazer — not just for reggae and island music, but for Tok Pisin music on the global stage.
A Voice That Speaks Our Language
What made O-Shen instantly beloved was his authentic use of Tok Pisin — the first PNG international artist to rap, sing, and storytell fluently in PNG’s lingua franca. His music connected deeply with Papua New Guineans because he didn’t just sing for PNG — he sang as one of us. His powerful lyrics, conscious themes, and melodic fusion of reggae, hip-hop, and island sounds turned him into an icon.
Promoting PNG Across Oceans
Even after moving to Hawaii, where he now resides at age 47, O-Shen never stopped waving the flag of Papua New Guinea. In his concerts, social media presence, and music videos, he proudly wears PNG colours, speaks about his upbringing, and reminds the world of the beauty and strength of his second home.
- He has performed internationally with major artists
- Released multiple albums that echo Pacific Island and PNG pride
- Continues to represent PNG in language, dress, and message
Whether it’s “Throw Away the Gun”, “Mi Laik Kam”, or “Iron Youth”, his songs are more than hits — they are cultural statements. He has inspired a generation of PNG youth to express themselves musically, proudly, and in their own language.
Time to Bring the Kande Mahn Back Home
It’s time we recognise O-Shen not just as a reggae artist — but as a cultural ambassador. His decades of unwavering support and global branding of Papua New Guinea deserve national appreciation.
Let’s bring O-Shen back for a national tour. Let him perform on the same land he’s promoted for over 25 years. Let PNG say “thank you” the way only PNG can.
More Than Music — It’s Love
O-Shen’s passion is deeply personal. PNG is not a trend to him — it’s home, memory, and identity. Through war-torn lyrics, love songs, and resistance anthems, he reminds us what it means to be proud of where you come from.
In a time where few artists carry a nation’s name without sponsorship or incentive, O-Shen continues to do it out of pure love.
