Copyright myjoyonline
Nigerian superstar Patoranking is back with 'No Jonze', a street-rooted, festival-friendly single and the lead track from his forthcoming fifth studio album. The song reconnects the singer with Galala, the percussive, dance-led sound that grew out of Ajegunle and helped shape his musical identity. 'No Jonze' blends late 1990s and early 2000s Galala energy with modern Afro-dancehall. The title borrows Lagos street slang and turns it into a mantra that urges grind and focus, a reminder to underdogs to hold their ground and not fumble opportunity. The record nods to the raw, communal feel of the genre while positioning Lagos street culture in a wider global conversation about contemporary Afrobeats and dancehall influences. The official video was shot in Ajegunle and directed by Director K, who has worked with artists such as Rema, Wizkid, and Davido. Patoranking shares the screen with Galala figures Marvelous Benjy and Allen B. The visuals recreate 1990s Lagos city vibes, showcase the Galala dance at its liveliest, and include a street mural honouring local forebears like Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Oritse Femi, Baba Fryo, African China and Danfo Drivers. Patoranking’s career has been built on a fusion of Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, and he first broke through with songs such as 'Alubarika'. He has performed across more than 50 countries at venues ranging from London’s O2 Arena to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and at global events, including the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in Qatar. His catalog has accumulated more than two billion streams worldwide. Offstage, Patoranking runs the Patoranking Foundation, which has supported over 5,000 young people, funded more than 250 scholarships across the primary, secondary, and university levels, launched tech scholarships, and opened a community football turf in Lagos. He also works on youth innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives as part of UN development partnerships. 'No Jonze' marks a deliberate return to the streets and sounds that shaped Patoranking. It points toward an album that, based on this single, will explore local subcultures and street rhythms while aiming for global reach.
