NEW RELEASE

The powerful second single from his forthcoming fifth studio album, African Soldier, has Nigerian artist Patoranking reconnecting with his reggae and dancehall foundation, with Buju Banton’s presence giving that return even more significance.

It’s a statement piece from the two artists that champions African pride, calls for the liberation of its people, and extols the global rise of Black excellence.

Produced by Jazzwad, the song reunites Patoranking with the revered chart-topping producer who he worked with on Cheating Zone from his debut album. The track leans fully into Patoranking and Buju Banton’s penchant for live musicianship, with Jazzwad recording the drums, bass, keys, guitar and full horn section with live session players from Jamaica, which adds to the track’s warmth, lift and reggae resonance. It’s Grammy-winning audio engineer Bonzai who delivers a meticulous heavyweight mix, testament to the level of craft behind the message.

The music video, shot in New York and directed by Nigerian filmmaker UAX also helps extend the song’s vision and its themes, carrying the song’s idea of pride, growth and collective strength into something visual and immediate.

Speaking about the inspiration behind African Soldier, Patoranking shares, “While working on my album, the goal for me was to go back to the music that inspired me. The sounds I grew up on, and reggae has been that core for me. My breakthrough single Alubarika was a good reference to this fact, so was my last release No Jonze. Throughout my journey as an artist, reggae and dancehall blended with Afrobeats has been my primary sound. So, African Soldier is just that intentionally curated root reggae song that serves as a reminder of who we are. The power we possess as Africans and black people all across the globe. And having the legendary Buju Banton who over the years has been a great voice when it comes to matters concerning Africa’s liberation, growth and unity on the continent to be a part of this record just complements the entire message this song seeks to convey”.