Lil Kesh/Patoranking: A break from the norm?

For music lovers, the Nigerian music industry has developed with the speed of light, beyond what it used to be. The industry is characterized by artistes who strive to reach out to their select audience, consciously or unconsciously, through their genre of music and leitmotif. This has been the case with YBNL rapper, Lil Kesh, and reggae/dancehall star, Patoranking.

Patoranking

YBNL rapper, Keshinro Ololade, popularly known by his stage name Lil kesh, has dropped something new for the streets. This new hit projects a totally different subject matter from his previous hits. The popular rapper recently released his first single in 2016 ‘ibile’, produced by Pheelz and Young John.

The single hit, as usual, has gone viral on all online platforms. Going down memory lane, most of his songs resonate street hustle and the ubiquitous dynamics of the Nigerian milieu. But this time, Lil Kesh seems to havSe shifted paradigm, because ‘Ibile’ resonates a clarion call to cultural renaissance and not the usual subject matter of street hustle and decadence that pervade the society.

Continental reggae-dancehall superstar Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking is not left out. His most recent single ‘Make Am’, produced by ace producer J. Pizzle also radically strays away from the usual leitmotif that preponderates in his songs. ‘Make Am’ is an inspirational song that chronicles his personal life story. Mr. #WhaYasay thrills Africa with a scintillating afro beat tune that adequately projects the message:

“Everyone can be successful in life, and when you do, don’t allow wealth and affluence change your personality”.

After listening to these new hits, two questions pop up: were these artistes breaking away from the norm? Were they just being dynamic or infusing inter-textuality into their music? Whichever it is, we will find out sooner or later. Despite the change in subject matter, these two singles have been rocking the airwaves, clubs, roadside restaurants, hotels and other fun spots, thrilling fun seekers and music lovers.