O-Shen

Jason Hershey (born 1978 in Spokane, Washington), professionally known as O-Shen, is a reggae musician raised in Papua New Guinea. Although American-born, he spent most of his early life in Papua New Guinea, an experience that strongly shaped his musical identity. O-Shen later settled in Hawai‘i, where he continues to live, while maintaining close ties to Papua New Guinea. He is especially notable for performing much of his music in Tok Pisin, giving his work a distinctive Pacific reggae sound. O-Shen’s career blends reggae with hip-hop and island influences, earning him recognition both in the Pacific and internationally. He has collaborated with prominent Jamaican artists including Elephant Man, Third World, Black Uhuru, and Black. One of his best-known tracks, “Throw Away the Gun” from the album Rascal in Paradise, gained wider exposure after being featured in the 2004 film 50 First Dates. In recognition of his impact on reggae music, O-Shen won the Na Hōkū Hanohano Award for Reggae Album of the Year in 2001. Through his multilingual approach and cross-cultural collaborations, he has played an important role in connecting Pacific Island reggae with the global reggae movement.