Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (; born 27 May 1990), better known as Patoranking, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A native of Ebonyi State, Patoranking was born in Ijegun-Egba, Lagos State. He started his music career doing underground collaborations with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam, and Reggie Rockstone.
Patoranking signed a record deal with K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2010, and released the single "Up in D Club" that same year. He became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after recording the track "Alubarika" with Timaya. In November 2014, Patoranking signed with Foston Musik and gained recognition after releasing "Girlie O". On 9 February 2015, he announced on Instagram that he signed a distribution deal with VP Records.
Life and music career 1990–2013: Early life and career beginnings A native of Ebonyi State, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie was born on 27 May 1990, in Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town, Lagos. He attended Citizen Comprehensive College in Epe, Lagos, and later enrolled at Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School in Iponri. Patoranking moved to Ghana in 2007 after gaining admission to the University of Cape Coast, but dropped out due to financial constraints. He later moved to Osu, Accra, where he met Lanky, an entrepreneur who signed him to Black Rhythmz Entertainment. Patoranking worked at a restaurant and held another job at Accra Mall while signed to Black Rhythmz Entertainment. After recording a few songs on Black Rhythmz Entertainment, he left the label and returned to Nigeria.
Patoranking joined K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2012 upon returning to Nigeria. That same year, he recorded the Drumphase-produced track "Iya Bisi", which features vocals by Qdot and Kbaj. Patoranking told Entertainment Express that Qdot and Kbaj helped compose "Iya Bisi" by sharing ideas with him. Other songs the singer recorded with Igberaga Records include "Tonight", "Park Well", and "So Nice". Patoranking told Entertainment Express that his stage name was given to him by a Jamaican artist whom he met at Alpha Beach in Lagos. He has cited Buju Banton, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lucky Dube, Chaka Demus, Majek Fashek, Blackky, Blackface, Tuface, and Marvelous Benjy as his key musical influences. Patoranking has described his music as a morally inclined variation of dancehall, and said it references socio-political issues.
On 12 September 2013, Patoranking released the Timaya-assisted single "Alubarika", which translates to "God's Blessings". The singer described the song as a summary of his life, and said it opened doors for him in terms of building a fanbase and working with established acts. The music video for "Alubarika" was filmed by AJE Filmworks and ran for 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
2014–present: "Girlie O", "Murda", and "My Woman, My Everything" In February 2014, Patoranking signed a record deal with Foston Musik and ended his affiliation with Dem Mama Records. While speaking with Toolz on NdaniTV's The Juice, Timaya said Patoranking left his label and was never officially signed. On 4 February 2014, Patoranking released the track "Girlie O", which was produced by WizzyPro. The accompanying music video for the song was filmed in London by Moe Musa and released on 5 February 2014. In the video, Patoranking liberates his next-door neighbor from domestic violence by expressing his innate feelings to her. On 19 May 2014, Foston Musik released the remix of "Girlie O", which features vocals by Tiwa Savage and debuted at number 9 on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart. Savage told MTV Base's Ehiz that she admires Patoranking's music and decided to reach out to him to record the track. The music video for "Girlie O" (Remix) was also filmed by Moe Musa in London. Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria commended the lyrics and chorus, and said the track's "basic winning elements were not discarded".
Patoranking was featured on Seyi Shay's single "Murda", alongside Shaydee. The song was produced by Dokta Frabz and released on 1 April 2014. On 11 May 2014, the Meji Alabi-directed music video for "Murda" was uploaded to Vevo. Patoranking released the Wande Coal-assisted single "My Woman, My Everything" on 10 June 2015. The song's music video was directed by Mose Musa and released on 12 June 2015. It received a nomination for Best Reggae/Dancehall Video at the 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards. The tracks "Daniella Whine" and "My Woman, My Everything" charted on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart. The former topped the chart in June, while the latter peaked at number 2.
Personal life Patoranking has two daughters. His second studio album, Wilmer, was named after his first daughter. Patoranking featured her on the album's cover art and dedicated the title track to her. The singer previously dated Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas and was reportedly linked to singer Yemi Alade, who played his love interest in the music video for the Flavour-assisted single "Mon Bebe".
Discography Studio albums God Over Everything (2016) Wilmer (2019) Three (2020) World Best (2023)
Awards and nominations
YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef2021Net HonoursMost played street hop song"Abule"Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsBest African Collaboration"My Girl Remix" by Toofan, Patoranking and Sarkodie2019HeadiesBest Video"Confirm" featuring Davido2018Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsBest Collaboration"Sing My Name" by MzVee & Patoranking"Na Wash" by Becca and PatorankingSoundcity MVP AwardsBest Video"Heal Da World"Viewers Choice"Available"HeadiesBest Reggae Dancehall Single"Love You Die" featuring Diamond PlatnumzNigerian Entertainment AwardsBest Alternative ArtistHimselfAFRIMABest CollaborationParticulaSong of the yearBest African Dancehall/Reggae ActHimself2017AFRIMABest Music VideoHimself4Syte Music Video AwardsBest African Music VideoMy Girl by Toofan featuring Patoranking2016AFRIMABest Dancehall ArtistHimself2015Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsAfrican Artiste of the YearHimself4Syte TV Music Video AwardsBest African Act Video"My Woman My Everything" (featuring Wande Coal) The HeadiesBest Pop SingleBest Reggae/Dance hall Single"Daniella Whyne"MTV Africa Music Awards Best New ActHimselfTooXlusive Online Music Awards Best Afropop Song"My Woman My Everything"2014Ben TVBest New ActHimselfBest CollaborationHimselfBest Reggae/DancehallHimselfThe Headies 2014Next RatedHimselfBest Collabo"Girlie O Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) "Emergency" (Wizz Pro featuring Skales, Patoranking and Runtown) Best Reggae/Dancehall Single"Girlie O Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) "Murda" (Seyi Shay featuring Shaydee and Patoranking)2014 Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Newcomer"Girlie O (Remix)"Most Gifted Ragga DancehallCity People Entertainment AwardsDancehall/Reggae Act of the YearHimselfMost Popular Song of the Year"Allubarika" (featuring Timaya) Best Collabo of the Year2014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest New Act of the YearHimselfMale Artist of the YearBest Collaboration"Emergency" (Wizzy Pro featuring Runtown, Skales, and Patoranking) "Alubarika" (featuring Timaya) 2013Nigeria Music Video AwardsBest Dance Hall/Reggae Video
See also
List of Nigerian musicians List of Igbo people List of people from Ebonyi State
References