Patoranking whose real name is Nnaemeka Okorie, is a popular Nigerian singer and songwriter who is widely acclaimed as the pioneer of reggae dancehall artist.
He was born in Ijegun Egba in Satellite Town, Lagos on the 27th of May 1990. Patoranking is his stage name and was given to him by a Jamaican artist whom he met at Alpha Beach, in Lagos. He hails from Ebonyi state, south eastern Nigeria and had his up-bringing in Ijegun Egba, Satellite town before relocating to Ebute-Metta, in Lagos.
Educational Background
Patoranking had his primary education and later attended Citizen Comprehensive College Epe and Jibril Martin Memorrial Grammar School in Iponri, both in Lagos State Nigeria.
His Music Career
After obtaining his first and secondary school certificates respectively, he had a humble beginning in music by performing as a dancer at concerts, street jams, Clubs and Carnivals.
He released his first debut album in May 2012, a combination of Dancehall and Fuji music titled: “Iya Bisi” and featured Qdot and Kbaj. He again released another hit song titled “Up In D Club” after signing with K’Solo Igberaga Records.
Patoranking’s popularity grew and soon became the much talked about in town as his good work received the attention and recognition of Dem Mama Records, CEO Timaya, who assisted him with vocals on the song widely regarded as a breakthrough track. For Patoranking, the journey had just started as he released Alubarika, which means God’s Blessing in Hausa language was released with the video at the same time.
It was a major breakthrough and a ladder with which Patoranking climbed to greatness in the Nigerian music industry. It also paved the way for his work to be recognized by top Nigerian artistes and enter into collaboration with a number of them.
The rising superstar did not stop there. He released yet another hit song “Girlie O” single but widely accepted and applauded by many. The song music video was shot in London and here Patoranking was seen as a leading hero after his successful rescue of his neighbor from domestic violence from her partner and offered her his love.
“Girlie O Remix” was a success, having the collaboration of Tiwa Salvage. Their collaboration within short time recorded an unimaginable success as it was aired freely in most radios and television stations across Africa.
Another hit song “Murda” came up. It was produced by Dokja Frabz and was released on April 1st 2014. It had the collaboration with Seyi Shay and there was wide rumour that both were in love. However, this wide speculation was dismissed by his fans who saw it as a carefully designed strategy to make huge sales.
His musical work received a boost both locally and internationally. He performed on stages in Jamaica, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
In 2016, he released another album “God Over Everything” and made its debut at 4th place on Billboards Reggae albums chart. This was an improvement on his work in 2015 via social media platform on instagram that his signed on to VP records was a successful reggae and dancehall music label and distributor in the U.S. which was founded in 1979.
He marked the deal in a grand star by releasing two singles “Daniella Whine” and “My Woman, My Everything” which received wide applaud across Africa.
His Personal Life
Patoranking is not yet married but said to be in a relationship with his long time friend, Leila and the product of this relationship is a baby girl.
His Net Worth
Patoranking is rated one of the richest music stars in Nigeria with a number of exotic cars and a mansion in Metro Garden, Lekki, Lagos with a net worth of over $2 million dollars.