Patoranking

About

Also known as: Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie

Patoranking blends dancehall with afrobeats in a way that feels rooted in both Lagos street culture and the wider African music scene. Born Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, he spent time in Ghana before returning to Nigeria, where a collaboration with Timaya on "Alubarika" cracked open the industry for him. He describes his sound as a morally conscious take on dancehall, one that weaves in socio political themes, and his influences run from Buju Banton and Bob Marley to Fela Kuti and Lucky Dube. His breakthrough single "Girlie O" landed the remix a spot at number 9 on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10, with Tiwa Savage jumping on the track after she personally reached out. From there he built a catalog that spans four studio albums, including Wilmer, named after his daughter, and Three, which features the track "Abule". Wande Coal, Diamond Platnumz, and Sarkodie are among the names he has linked up with along the way.