Ghana’s VVIP to release song with Nigeria’s Patoranking

Made up of Zeal (real name Abdul Hamidu Ibrahim), Prodigal (Joseph-Nana Ofori) and hiplife veteran Reggie Rockstone, the group VVIP have serenaded the Ghanaian audience since VIP, the initial group of three members, split three years ago. Two of its members then teamed up with the solo Reggie Rockstone. They have since released the hit songs ‘Skolom’ and ‘Selfie’.

The group has collaborated with a Nigerian artist before as they featured rapper Phyno on the remix to ‘Selfie’. The earlier VIP were on the 2face song ‘My Love’. For his part, Patoranking has performed with Ghanaian reggae artist Stonebwoy on the remix to ‘Pull It Up’. The Nigerian has spoken about his love for the Ghanaian music scene, which he claims is stronger than his own country's.

The video for the song has been shot by popular Nigerian video director Clarence Peters. Advance notice reports the song title as ‘Alhaji’ and credits production on the song to Mix Masta Garzy, a producer based in Tema, Ghana.

Unfortunately, the release may delayed as Peters was robbed after shooting the video, with video material belonging to VVIP and Stonebwoy stolen. Speaking on radio, Rockstone announced a cash reward for anyone who recovers the material. "VVIP, Stonebwoy, Clarence Peters and Patoranking are ready to offer a sum of $10 000 to anybody who would help to recover the lost items," he said.

At the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, VVIP was named Best Group and received the award for Best Collaboration of the Year for ‘Skolom’, which featured Sena Dagadu. Patoranking was nominated in the African Artist of the Year category but lost out to his compatriot Wizkid.