Nigeria dancehall artiste Patoranking releases a video for the infectious lead single Abule, from his upcoming album, Three. The project is the collaborative effort of his Amari Musiq imprint and US-based EMPIRE label.
The mesmeric chords of the single’s pulsating patterns trickle into the subconscious and swells into the psychic with uncomplicated ease. Abule, which is village in the Yoruba language, better connects after the singer shares that the video thematically characterises the preservation of one’s “hood.”
“I’m proud to be from my ‘abule,’ because to have made it coming from there it’s only by God’s grace,” Patoranking says, adding “I feel it’s important through this new song to give my fans a chance to celebrate their own ‘abules’. And to protect their ‘abules,’ too.”
Abule pays homage to his neighbourhood, Ebute Metta in Lagos.
The wildly popular afro-dancehall act is among several artistes, from the African diaspora, who have managed to effectively crossover to the Jamaican scene – borrowing heavily from local ‘riddims’ for singles Daniella Whine and Suh Different.
Regarding naming the album Three, Patoranking explains that it “is a strong number. It stands for how I see language. In making the album, we tried to look at love, life and happiness. If you are listening to any of the tracks, even if it is a dance track, I want you to feel love.”
Three, slated for an end-of-August release, is his third album.
Patoranking recently featured on the reimagined Bob Marley One Love global anthem – with Stephen Marley, Cedella Marley, and Skip Marley, and other performers from around the world – in support of UNICEF’s Covid-19 relief efforts.
The Nigeria star’s philanthropy also extend to the ALU Patoranking Scholarship, which facilitates 10 full scholarships for African students to attend the prestigious African Leadership University.
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