Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (born 27 May, 1990),populaly known by his stage name Patoranking,is a Nigerian singer and songwriter from the Igbo tribe. Primarily regarded as the pioneer of mainstream reggae-dancehall music, He rose to fame through collaborations with artists such as Konga, Slam, Reggie Rockstone, and XProject.

On 9 February 2015, Patoranking announced on Instagram that he had signed a distribution deal with VP Records. On September 28, he released a song titled Abule, one he released ahead of his album, which was scheduled to be released later in 2020.The artist once said, in 2020, that he once got the inspiration for a song on a football pitch while playing football.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Patoranking was born and raised in Ijegun-Egba, Satellite Town but has family roots in Onicha, Ebonyi State.  His family is originally from Ebonyi State, and that makes it his state of origin. He grew up with his family in Ijegun-Egba Satellite Town before later relocating to Ebute Metta. From there, he moved to Ghana and came back to Nigeria, a musician.

Being the first child and coming from a poor home, Patoranking had to do all sorts of things for survival. While in Ghana, he discomforted himself to save up money and help his family. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Okorie, tried their best to give their children quality education, but a lack of funds couldn’t allow them. Their first son took it upon himself to provide a good life for his family.

Patoranking has not revealed much about his family. The much we know is that he is the first child of the family, and he has a brother, Raphael Okorie, and a sister, Sharon Okorie. His sister, Sharon, got married on Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Patoranking gifted her a brand new car as a wedding gift. This is part of the good life he promised his family members. During the wedding, the award-winning singer sang for the father during the father and daughter dance.

His younger brother, Raphael, is mistaken to be his son because of the age difference. Rapharanking is also in the music world, and very soon, he will be well known. He shares the same dream as his older brother, maybe because he is close to a singer. With good coaching and the opportunity to express himself, the young Rapharanking will be a great singer in the future.

He attended Citizen Comprehensive College in Epe, Lagos, and later enrolled at Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School in Iponri. Patoranking started his performing arts career as a street jam and carnival dancer.

 

CAREER

While in Ghana, the reggae artist partnered with Lanky, a Ghanaian entrepreneur he met on the streets of Osu. Lanky started Black Rhythms Entertainment, a production company that made few tracks with Patoranking. His songs were aired, but it was difficult for him to pull through in Ghana. So, he returned to Nigeria to pursue his musical career further. Meanwhile, in Ghana, he released his first single, So Nice (2009).

In Nigeria, he was signed to a record label and started singing. In May 2012, he released his first song, a fusion of dancehall and Fuji music, “Iya Bisi,” and featured Qdot and Kbaj. He later released another song titled “Up in D Club” after signing with K’Solo Igberaga Records.

His work got the attention of Dem Mama Records CEO, Timaya, who helped him with vocals on the song widely regarded as his breakthrough track. “Alubarika,” which translates to “God’s Blessings” in the Hausa language, was released simultaneously with a video to rave reviews. The artist himself describes the song as a summary of his life as a musician. It inadvertently opened doors for him in terms of building a fanbase and collaborating with other industry-heavy hitters.

Another record deal followed after the success of the song. The fast-rising superstar put pen to paper with Foston Musik, and he released “Girlie O,” a chart-topping, critically acclaimed single. The song’s music video was shot in London and featured Patoranking as a hero after he rescues his neighbor from domestic violence from her partner and professes his love for her. A “Girlie O Remix” followed a few months later, featuring Tiwa Savage. Tiwa revealed during an interview that she was in love with the original song and reached out to Patoranking to do the remix. Their collaboration was a massive success as it got heavy airplay and was listed on several countdowns across Africa.

A collaboration with fellow upcoming artist Seyi Shay on her song titled “Murda” followed next. The song, produced by Dokta Frabz, was released on Fools Day, April 1, 2014. There was huge speculation that looked to have been fueled by both artists’ management that the pair were a couple. That, however, was just a prank or a promotional tactic, as has been widely speculated. That did not stop the two of them from nailing the visuals to the track, which was released a month later, on May 11, 2014.

2015 was an even better year for the artist. He first announced via Instagram that he signed on to VP Records. The label is a successful reggae and dancehall music label and distributor based in the United States, founded in 1979. He marked the deal by releasing two singles, “Daniella Whine” and “My Woman, My Everything,” which were absolute chart-toppers across the African continent.

Patoranking’s musical development was clear for everyone to see. International show promoters recognized this, and he was soon performing on stages in Jamaica, the United States, and the U.K. His first full body of work titled “God over Everything” (G.O.E) was released in August 2016 and debuted at 4th place on Billboard’s Reggae albums chart. In addition to his career, Patoranking was a judge on the singing competition, The Voice Nigeria, seasons 1 and 2, alongside other singers like Waje, Tuface, Timi Dakolo, and Yemi Alade.

PERSONAL LIFE

Patoranking’s better half is PatonranQueen, real name Leila Okorie. In any case, tales have it that he left the woman in the wake of arriving at the fame. This is as yet not yet affirmed. Likewise, he is reputed to be in a few associations with female star-artists. Here is a rundown of five young ladies that Patoranking has dated:

1. Edma Ohemaa

It was asserted that the Nigerian reggae-dancehall performer, Patoranking had a mysterious illicit relationship with the delightful Ghanaian TV host and model, Edma Ohemaa, who likewise featured in Patoranking music video “My Woman, My Everything“. The two look excellent together.

2. Genevieve Nnaji

Patoranking concedes to having a big-name pound on delightful Nigeria’s sovereign, Genevieve Nnaji. The two would make an incredible couple!

3. Seyi Shay

Supposedly, the ravishing Nigerian performer Seyi Shay had a mysterious heartfelt illicit relationship with the Nigerian reggae-dancehall artist, Patoranking. It was accounted for that the undertaking initiated in mid-2014 when the couple worked together to record Seyi Shay‘s single “Murda“.

This is what an agent from the Patoranking team needed to say: “They are not dating. There is the science between the two of them. Their tune ‘Murda‘ was extraordinary.

They will, in any case, cooperate on different tasks. They are right now running advancements together; they have a type of Bonnie And Clyde relationship.”

4. Jocelyn Dumas

Patoranking, as of late, posted an image on Instagram with Jocelyn Dumas followed by the inscription: “@jocelyn_dumas #MWME #Whaysay!!!” the post raised blended responses from his fans and tales shone that the two were dating.

5. Leila Okorie (PatoranQueen) – Baby Mama

Patoranking dated his delightful child mom Leila Okorie before the Naija kid shot to fame, yet things before long went downhill as he got more renowned, and the two of them headed out in different directions from one another.

As of late announced, Leila Okorie has continued on and is dating another person

 

 

NET WORTH

Patoranking has a whopping net worth of US$20 million. This makes him one of the richest musicians in Nigeria at the moment.