BE INSPIRED: The Story of Patoranking

William Ikiabo

Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie widely known by his stage name Patoranking can be described as one of the successful artists in the nation’s music industry.

The Reggae-Dancehall Singer and Songwriter who was not born with a silver spoon went through some terrible hardships before attaining the level of success he has achieved today.

Patoranking an indigene of Onicha, in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, was born on May 27, 1990.

From Ijegun-Egba ―a satellite town in Lagos, Nigeria where he was born and bred up, he later moved to Ebute Metta, Lagos.

It is unclear where he had his primary school education.

But, he started his secondary school education at Citizen Comprehensive College, Epe, Lagos, and later Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, Lagos.

In 2003, he joined a boy group called “Da Flavour Squad” and began his music career as a street jam and carnival dancer; deeply influenced by artists like Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Buju Banton, Tuface, Majek Fashek, Black Face, and some others. But nobody gave him a chance.

To make ends meet, he once sold rat poison in the traffic of Lagos… and also did work as a bricklayer.

In a tweet, he made on June 10, 2020, he revealed that in…

“2007 I was working at the Chicken Republic, Ikeja GRA Branch… The job was a lifesaver for my family and I… Na only me and God understand ✌🏾”

That same year, after being admitted into the Cape Coast University, he moved to Ghana.

After a year at the university, he dropped out due to financial constraints and then moved to the capital of Ghana where he spent most nights on the streets of Osu ― a neighborhood in Central Accra, known for its busy commercial, restaurant, and nightlife activity.

There in Accra, he dabbled into so many things to achieve his dreams.

“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,” ― Patoranking said in an exclusive interview on Starr 103.5 FM, Accra.

On the streets of Osu, Patoranking met a young Ghanaian entrepreneur named Lanky, who did his best to help him achieve his dreams.

Lanky started a production company called ‘Black Rhythms Entertainment’ and made a few tracks with Patoranking.

However, according to the ‘Up in D Club’ star, “the songs enjoyed some airplay, but it was difficult to break through in Ghana.”

As things were not working for him, 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.

In 2010, he released “Up in D Club” under Solo’s Igberaga Records, and K-Solo exposed him to a wider Nigerian audience, but he still remained an underground performer.

“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,” ― Patoranking

On September 12, 2013, he released both the video and audio of “Alubarika”, in a collaboration with Timaya under the Dem Mama Records label.

The video of the song which was shot by AJE Films was a summary of Patoranking’s life as a musician.

According to Patroranking, that song opened doors for him in terms of building a fan base and working with established musicians.

Alubarika which literally means “God’s Blessings” became a hit track and the starting point of blessings overflowing for the young talented man.

After a series of lower-profile singles, in February 2014, he released another hit single titled “Girlie O“.

“Girlie O“ which was released under the Foston Musik record label is the hit single that shot him to limelight

Later that same year, he did a remix of the song with Tiwa Savage.

In 2015, he took to his Instagram account and said,

“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 for 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… “

Up to date, Patoranking has remained a relentless achiever that is fast climbing the ladder to becoming an A-List Artiste, from ‘Nothing to Something’.

The story of Patoranking is proof that there is no shortcut to success, The path to success is through hard work and determination.

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.

Talent plus hard work yields less. Talent plus money yields success. Let me add that, talent plus money, plus a good network of people yields much more faster.