IN CONVERSATION WITH PATORANKING
Interview by Samo Šajn
Patoranking has grown from the streets of Lagos to becoming one of Africa’s most influential music voices. With his new single “No Jonze” and a fresh album on the way, he is reconnecting with his roots and pushing Afro-dancehall to new heights.
“No Jonze” is inspired by Galala music from Ajegunle. How did growing up there influence your music and style?
I didn’t really grow up fully in Ajegunle per se, but I was always in and out of the area because of my love for dance and the music coming out of there at the time. Ajegunle was the place, it had the vibes, it was like a little Kingston. Don’t get me wrong, Galala was felt in other areas too, including my own ghetto, Ebute Metta, but AJ was the source. I used to go there just to dance, hoping to get noticed. It definitely influenced my musical style.
The song turns Lagos street slang into a life message. How do you keep your music true to the streets while reaching fans all over the world?
If you listen to most of my songs, they always carry a message. I try to find a balance, communicating something important without losing the rhythm and the feeling. So while you are dancing, you are still picking up the message the song carries. I blend the life I have lived, from the ghetto to the places I have traveled, that is how I keep it real and still make it global.
You have worked with artists like Major Lazer and Popcaan. How do those international experiences shape the way you mix Afrobeats, reggae, and dancehall?
Growing up on Galala music shaped my sound. Galala is our own localized version of dancehall, and that influence is what you hear in Afrobeats today. That is why it is easy for me to connect with the Caribbean market, the root is the same. Being African, I was also exposed to highlife and other early sounds, so blending all of that comes naturally. So when I work with artists like Major Lazer or Popcaan, it does not feel far off, it is easy to blend and create something iconic and soothing.
The No Jonze video honors Galala pioneers and Lagos street culture. Why is it important for you to show this in your visuals?
It is important because these are the forebears of Galala, and they paved the way for most of us. So it is only right to honor them properly. That is why we did a mural of legends like Daddy Showkey, Danfo Drivers, African China, Baba Fryo, Oritse Femi, and others who were not available for the video. We also had the legendary Marvelous Benjy on set, he was pivotal in shaping what Galala has become in Nigerian music.
Your new album will explore different African sounds. Can you give us a sneak peek of what fans should expect?
Fans should expect nothing but the best of the Patoranking sound, a journey back to what music was when I was growing up in the 1990s, but with a touch of now. They should also expect amazing and intentional collaborations with some of their favorites from the continent and beyond.
Through your foundation, you have helped thousands of young people. How does giving back influence your music and life?
Giving back is a big part of me. I used to do it behind closed doors for a long time before putting the Foundation together to do it on a bigger scale. I feel blessed knowing I can play a small part in someone’s journey. There are so many talented young people in Africa, but opportunities are scarce. One opportunity can go a long way, someone once gave me one, and look at how I turned out. Through this journey, I get to meet a lot of young people, hear their stories and struggles, and some of that inspires my music.
From Ebute Metta to global stages, what advice do you have for young artists trying to make it today?
Remember why you started and never relent. Work hard and be prepared, so when the opportunity comes, you make the best of it. And understand that failure will happen, and that is okay. It is not the end of success, it is part of it.
Afrobeats is growing worldwide. What do you think the next stage of the genre will look like, and how will you be part of it?
I think we are just getting started. African music is still in its infancy, and the world has not seen half of what is coming. The music is there, the talent is there, and we will keep representing it in the best light on the international stage. As for me, I will keep bringing the good music, music that makes you feel, and I will use my platform to empower the next generation of crazy talent coming.
