This article about Patoranking was featured on MTV Iggy somedays ago Nigerian music is on a RISE!! and the young talented Patoranking is fast rising. Read article below
Name: Patoranking
Where He`s From: Lagos, Nigeria
When He Started: 2009
Genre: Dancehall/Hiplife
For Fans Of: Tiwa Savage, Davido, Shatta Wale, Samini
Sounds Like: Lagos pon de dance floor
This summer, dancehall-reggae deejay/singer Patoranking (born Patrick Nnamemeka Okorie) has one of most popular tunes in Nigeria, “Girlie O (Remix),” which features the vocal stylings of Naija pop queen Tiwa Savage. Prior to this year, he had been recording for years in the underground, gaining a reputation for thoughtful, spiritual lyrics over airy dancehall riddims and one-drop reggae.
His peek through the door before his big break came in 2013, when his collaboration with singer Timaya, “Alubarika,” made a few ripples. The reggae jam, whose title can be translated to “god`s blessings,” features a sunny melody and Patoranking`s magnetizing patois. He said in an interview that the song was about “the transition from ghetto to hero and grass to grace”.
In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released the original verson of “Girlie O” produced by WizzyPro. In its video, Patoranking comforts a woman affected by domestic violence. Tiwa Savage was so impressed by the track that she reached out to him to jump on the remix, which adds some spit and polish to the song`s minimalist dancehall beat. All and all, Patoranking`s romantic charm, positivism and spirituality makes him a promising rising star in the global dancehall scene.
