Patoranking proves the world that no condition is permanent and there is no shortcut to success but through hardwork and determination. The singer who is a household name in Nigeria and widely loved abroad went through some terrible hardships before attaining the position where he is today.
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie popularly known as Patoranking was born on May 27, 1990. Patoranking is an indigene of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He is a Reggae Dancehall Singer and Songwriter.
He grew up in Ijegun Egba a Satellite Town in Lagos but later moved to Ebute Metta, Lagos. He had his early education at Citizen Comprehensive College Epe, Lagos and later attended Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, Lagos.
Patoranking began his career in the music industry as a street jam and carnival dancer when nobody gave him a chance. He has as his musical influences, artists like: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Tuface, Majek Fashek and some others.
Before hitting it big with his hit song ‘Alubarika’, Patoranking once sold rat killer (rat poison) in the traffic of Lagos… and also did work as a bricklayer.
He later moved to Ghana in 2007 after he was admitted into the Cape Coast University, but after a year at the university, he dropped out due to financial constraints and then moved to Accra where he spent most nights on the Streets of Osu in Accra, Ghana and dabbled into so many things to achieve his dreams.
Patoranking once took to his Instagram Account (@patorankingfire) to share this…
“A little story about this picture… five years ago, I left my little brother Rapha and my little sister Sharon because I wanted to change the face of my family… I could not give them the much deserved elder attention, I had to do that because I want to be able to provide their needs and answer their questions in the future.
Thank God for today and thank God for His blessings upon my family… Everyone is happy and we are living the life.
@rapharankingfire is the happiest one here… sometimes I just wish he is my son and Sharon is my daughter… “
In an exclusive interview on Starr 103.5 FM, Accra, Patoranking said,
“The only option I had” at that point “was making it in life because I just had to change the course of my family, the face of my family you know… being the first child… I just say thank you Lord and to everybody that never doubted me. I pray for them still and we’re still together,” he added.
In Accra, Patoranking met a young Ghanaian entrepreneur named Lanky, off the streets of Osu who was ready to partner with him to achieve his dreams.
Lanky started a production company called ‘Black Rhythms Entertainment’ and made a few tracks with Patoranking.
According to the ‘Up in D Club’ star, although the songs enjoyed some airplay but, it was difficult to break through in Ghana so he came back to Nigeria upon the invitation of a friend.
Back home, he got signed up on a record deal with a producer named K-Solo Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing “Up in D Club” under the outfit. K-Solo exposed him to a wider Nigerian audience, but he still remained an underground performer until he had his big break after he collaborated with Timaya on his track Alubarika.
On his journey to stardom, Patoranking said…
“For two years I’ve had about 120 collabos with people, (including: artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone). I was just working hard I wasn’t working smart, that’s the difference. Talent plus hard work yields to nothing. Talent plus money yields success,” he said light heartedly.
Today he is a relentless achiever that is fast climbing the ladder to becoming an A-List Artiste
Patoranking revealed in his song, ‘Nothing to Something’ was the chronicle of his life. On September 12 2013, he released the video and audio for “Alubarika” simultaneously. The song which literally translates to “God’s Blessings” and features vocals from Timaya was just the starting point of blessings overflow for the young talented man.
The music “Alubarika”, shot by AJE Films is a summary of Patoranking’s life as a musician. He also said that the song opened doors for him in terms of building a fan base and working with established musicians.
His hit single titled “Girlie O: shot him to limelight in February 2014. This hit single was born out of him signing a record deal with Foston Musik. Later in the year 2014, he did a remix of the song Girlie O; which featured Tiwa Savage.
It is worthy to note that Patoranking’s Hit Singles and Collabos has won him some outstanding awards and nominations from the Nigerian Music Industry including:
2015
AFFRIMA Awards: Best Dancehall Artist
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards: African Artiste of the Year
Headies Award:
Best Pop Song
Headies Award: Best Reggae/Dance Hall Single
Mtvbase Awards: Best New Act
Tooxlusive Awards: Best Afro Pop Song
2014
Ben TV: Best New Act
Ben TV: Best Collaboration
Ben TV: Best Reggae/Dancehall
The Headies 2014: Next Rated
The Headies 2014: Best Collabo
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards: Most Gifted Newcomer
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards: Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall
City People Entertainment Awards: Dancehall/Reggae Act of the Year
City People Entertainment Awards: Most Popular Song of the Year
City People Entertainment Awards: Best Collabo of the Year
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best New Act of the Year
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Collaboration
2013
Nigeria Music Video Awards: Best Dance Hall/Reggae Video
Your condition today is temporal, but your actions today will determine your tomorrow. Anything is possible.
No condition is permanent. Never tell yourself, you can’t do it. Push yourself because, no one is going to do it for you.
This is so inspirational.
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