The 10 Best African Carnival Tracks, according to Patoranking
Since 2009, Nigeria’s Patoranking has been at the forefront of a globally coveted strand of afrobeats-infused dancehall sounds. Putting out the single ‘So Nice’, which promptly stormed the globe, before a slew of heatedly-received singles and his debut album, his sun-soaked sounds and hyper-smooth flows are destined for festival – and carnival – play.
Ahead of Lagos’s Gidi Culture Festival, West Africa’s biggest festival, this year – where Patoranking is headlining – he shares his favourite carnival cuts primed for the summer months.
“These are my top ten songs… Every time you see me in any African carnival or festival – like Gidi Fest this Easter – these are a must-play, so big up every DJ, Patoranking say so… The first song is ‘Available’, produced by DJ Catzico and Vista from South Africa. It’s highly influenced by the gqom sound from South Africa. This is a song that when it comes up everyone gets on their feet, you know, it is a must you dance to this song.”
“The next song is from Nigerian Starboy. Wicked tune still. It’s everyone’s favourite song. You know we all just want to dance, move our body, the ladies want to move their waist to this song.”
“This is different from every other African song, it’s a song that has its own feel. You’re gonna love it from the intro, you’re gonna get hyped from the intro all the way to the outro of this record. It’s produced by Ghana’s finest producer called Mix Master Garzy. Yes this is so different.”
“‘If I tell you say I love you’ Yes! That is a banger, that is a hit right there, that’s an African hit song. It’s timeless. Day, night, anytime this song comes up, everyone turns up to the song. Just a wicked record.”
“This guy is from Ghana and I’m a big fan of his work, Patapaa. If you play this song anywhere, say you play it at the at the airport, you’ll see someone dancing in the corner close to the plane, everyone is looking for a corner to dance in. This is a big record, I love this song. I Love this song.”
“Big big record from West Africa to the world, this is a song that everyone loves to dance to. You must stand up and dance, it’s a MUST! Big shout out to Toofan.”
“The next one is a big one. One of the galdem favourites. Afro B is from the Ivory Coast and is now based in the UK. It’s a big song, the galdem love it.”
“This is a song that every girl on the continent loves to dance to and loves to sing to. I love this record as well, I still remember the first time I heard it. Massive tune, big up Tekno.”
“The second to last song on my list happens to be a show-stopping song. Called ‘Wololo’. Big record.”
“Last but not least this is ‘Lova Lova’, a song that I love so so much. Tiwa Savage is amazingly talented, one of the wickedest singers out there. Big record.”
Patoranking plays West Africa’s biggest music festival, Gidi Culture Fest, on 20th April 2019, alongside Wande Coal, Ray BLK, DJ Neptune, and more. Find tickets here.
