Patoranking
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (born 27 May 1990), better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Ebute Metta community of Lagos, he grew up sharing one room with his parents and five siblings. His modest upbringing and close relationship with his family instilled a drive and determination to create a better future, and led him to music He started his music career doing underground collaborations, with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing "Up in D Club" under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his song "Alubarika". In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released "Girlie O", a single that put him in the limelight. On 9 February 2015, Patoranking announced on Instagram that he signed a distribution deal with VP Records. on September 28 Patoranking released a song titled Abule which he released ahead of his album scheduled to be released later in 2020. He once said, in 2020 that he once got inspiration for song on a football pitch while playing football. Early Life and music career Patoranking was born and raised in Ijegun-Egba Satellite Town but has family roots in Onicha, Ebonyi State. 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 to pursue his education after gaining admission to the University of Cape Coast. but dropped out due to financial reasons. After dropping out of the University, he moved to Osu, a suburb of Accra, Ghana where he met Lanky, an entrepreneur who signed Patoranking to his label, Black Rhythmz Entertainment. Whilst signed to Black Rhythmz Entertainment, he was working at a restaurant opposite Frankies Osu and had another job at Accra Mall. After recording a few songs on Lanky's label, the relationship came to an end and he returned to Nigeria. Upon his return to Nigeria, Okorie joined K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2012, where he recorded "Iya Bisi", featuring Qdot and Kbaj. The Drumphase-produced song is a fusion of dancehall and fuji. Patoranking told Entertainment Express that Qdot and Kbaj helped compose the song by sharing ideas with him. Other singles recorded with K-Solo's label included Tonight, Park Well, and So Nice. Speaking on the origin of his name in a 2012 interview with Entertainment Express, Patrick said his stage name was given to him by a Jamaican artist whom he met at Alpha Beach in Lagos. Patoranking 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. In the aforementioned interview with Entertainment Express, he described his music as a morally inclined variation of dancehall and said it references socio-political issues. It was not until 12 September 2013, that Okorie's life changed with the release of