Nigerian superstar Patoranking is ushering in a bold new chapter with the release of “No Jonze”, a pulsating street anthem and the lead single from his forthcoming fifth studio album. The track, unveiled this week, signals both a return to his roots and a reimagining of the sounds that shaped his rise from Lagos’ streets to the global stage.
Built on the infectious bounce of late-’90s and early-2000s Galala music, “No Jonze” is a celebration of hustle, resilience, and unrelenting drive.
With its blend of Afro-dancehall rhythms and modern production, the record transforms Lagos street slang into a rallying cry; a mantra urging listeners to seize every moment and “not fumble the bag.”
“This is more than a song; it’s a movement,” Patoranking shared in a recent statement. “It’s about staying focused, celebrating where we come from, and reminding everyone that the streets gave birth to greatness.”
At its heart, “No Jonze” pays homage to Galala music, the dance-heavy sound born in Ajegunle, often dubbed the “Kingston of Nigeria.” It’s the music Patoranking grew up dancing to; raw, percussive, and unapologetically alive.
He has long described Galala as the “stepchild of dancehall,” and on “No Jonze,” he channels that spirit into a contemporary Afrobeat narrative that bridges past and present.
The single also positions Lagos’ street rhythm within a global conversation. Patoranking draws parallels between Galala and other grassroots genres like Dembow in the Dominican Republic, Kidandali in Uganda, and Gengetone in Kenya, all sharing a common pulse of resistance, joy, and survival.
His forthcoming album, he hints, will expand on this message; affirming that Afrobeats is not fading, but rather evolving through countless stories and subcultures yet to be fully heard.
The accompanying music video, directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Director K (known for his work with Rema, Wizkid, and Davido), returns to Ajegunle, grounding the visuals in the very streets that inspired the song. It features appearances from Galala legends Marvelous Benjy and Allen B, alongside a mural tribute to pioneers like Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo, African China, and Danfo Drivers.
Shot with cinematic flair, the video captures 1990s Lagos energy through a 2025 lens; from fearless street fashion and improvised dance battles to the communal spirit that defines Nigeria’s creative heartbeat.