Nigerian Afrobeats-star Patoranking is taking listeners back to the heart of his origins with his latest release, “No Jonze”—a vibrant street anthem that draws from the Galala sound of Lagos’s Ajegunle neighbourhood while grounding his modern dancehall edge. 

On “No Jonze”, Patoranking blends nostalgic rhythms of late-’90s and early 2000s Galala music—a sub-genre born in the streets of Ajegunle—with a fresh Afro-dancehall production.  The song sees the Lagos native leaning into the slang, hustle and beat-heavy sensibility of his upbringing in Ebute-Metta and Ijegun-Egba, places that shaped his voice and vision. 

He himself reflected on the influence: “Those legends made music with [a] message—real music for the people—and that is what I stand for. They showed me that no matter how big you get, you must never lose your roots.” 

The Visual & Cultural Details

The video for “No Jonze”, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Director K, was shot in Ajegunle and features cameos from Galala pioneers such as Marvelous Benjy and Allen B, as well as murals honouring Daddy Showkey, African China and other voices of the scene.  Patoranking says they shifted the video release date after heavy rain arrived—“because Ajegunle is the heart of Galala.” 

What “No Jonze” Means for Patoranking’s Journey

This track marks the lead single from Patoranking’s forthcoming fifth studio album. It signals a purposeful return to his foundations—melding local street energy with global reach.  For fans, it’s a reminder: the man who has collaborated with major international acts still remembers the block, the hustle, the Lagos sound that birthed his career.

In a world saturated with global Afrobeats hits, “No Jonze” stands out because it grounds its message in a specific place and community. That authenticity may be exactly what propels the song into festival-playlists and street-dance circles alike.