Patoranking

Nigerian artist Patoranking blends pop sensibilities into a refreshed reggae framework, where dancehall rhythms and bass-driven trap beats interlace with his melodic vocal delivery. Persistent effort paired with inventive songwriting helped his sound reach audiences worldwide, evidenced by a support slot on Lauryn Hill’s tour and high-profile team-ups with Popcaan and Beenie Man that appear on his 2023 album World Best.

Born Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie in Ijegun-Egba in 1990, he absorbed the sounds of Buju Banton, Lucky Dube, Tuface, Fela Kuti, and other reggae, dancehall, and Afro-beat icons during his formative years. These sources, together with Nigerian fuji, shaped his approach, prompting him to issue original material beginning in 2012. After several modestly received singles, he joined Foston Musik in 2014 and unveiled the track and video “Girlie O.” Initial traction remained limited until a remix featuring Tiwa Savage became a major hit months later, elevating his profile and paving the way for further releases plus guest spots on Seyi Shay’s “Murda,” Khuli Chana’s “No Lie,” and additional records.

Early in 2016 he served as a judge on the debut season of the televised contest The Voice Nigeria. Later that year his first full-length project, God Over Everything, arrived with appearances by Elephant Man and Sarkodie; the set entered Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart at number four. Over the following two years he continued dropping singles such as “Love You Die” alongside Diamond Platnumz and contributed to Major Lazer’s “Particula,” while a 2018 opening slot on Lauryn Hill’s tour introduced him to fresh listeners. In May 2019 he launched his second album, Wilmer, on the newly formed Amari Musiq imprint; titled after his infant daughter and bearing her image on the artwork, the record included the tracks “Confirm” with Davido and “Lenge Lenge,” ultimately peaking at number five on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

His third album, Three, followed in 2020 and again showcased Tiwa Savage along with King Promise and Sauti Sol. After additional standalone releases and featured verses, Patoranking returned in 2023 with the album World Best, whose highlights encompass the Diamond Platnumz-assisted “Kolo Kolo,” the Beenie Man devotional “Amazing Grace,” the single “Abobi,” and further contributions from Popcaan, Kizz Daniel, Ludacris, and others.