Patoranking looking dapper(Instagram)
On August 7, 2016, Patoranking brought the media to a Lagos Hotel.
There was a flurry of activity as the 'Girlie oh'
singer walked into the room with intent. The time was some minutes
after 2pm, as a contingent of handlers, photographers, and pressmen
trailed him into the hall. Decked in a scarlet 2 piece suit, and a pink
shirt.
He was assumed his position in front of the crowd, comprised of over 20 pressmen, technicians and radio hosts.
“I am very sorry for taking your time”, he began.
Photos from Patoranking's "GOE" album press conference(Pulse)
His apology was apt.
this press conference was meant to have started four hours ago.
Participants, which were drawn from various leading media houses, had
trickled in, many observing the curse of the African Time. But noon had
seen everyone gathered, having muted conversations, exchanging hugs, and
catching up on popular events leading up to that day. Four days ago,
the singer had released his debut album, “God Over Everything”. The LP
contains 16 songs, with collaborations drawn from a number two
continents. Wizkid, Patoranking, KWAM1, Elephant Man, Konshens, Olamide
and Phyno all had guest spots on the project.
““I
brought Phyno because he is from the east, so we need to give them
something from the East.” Patoranking offered. Responding to my question
about the direction of the album. I brought KWAM1 because I was born
here in the West, we need to give the Yorubas something. I brought in
Sarkodie because of my Ghana fan base, and Ghanaians in the diaspora. I
brought in Elephant Man and Konshens because ‘My woman my everything’ is
really doing very well in Jamaica, so I needed somebody to bridge the
gap.
I had expressed my concern about the
content of the album. Listening to the project had thrown up some level
of confusion in my mind, concerning the direction. This was a singer who
had made pop music, and stolen the hearts of the nation. From his 2013
hit song, ‘Alubarika’, which had an engaging reggae vibe, to
the 2015 Highlife instrumentals supplied by the Ebonyi State Band on
‘Make am’, he had made music designed to play at the mainstream level,
and appeal to the general populace. This has had its benefits. A deal
with VP Records was in the bag, he spent 2015 modelling for alcoholic
beverage, Skyy Vodka. Last year Headies also saw his songs ‘My woman my everything’, and ‘Daniella Whine’ nominated.
Photos from Patoranking's "GOE" album press conference(Pulse)
But the album arrived with a different feel. He digs into his influences from the ghetto and recreates Ajegunle, Konto, and
dancehall music, polishing and modernizing these sounds to create an
album that is in keeping with his original sound. There’s a contrasting
feeling that lingers due to the popular perception of Patoranking as a
Pop act, who achieves his brilliance via dancehall roots. That feeling
has been propagated by the success of his singles.
“I
started as a reggae dancehall artiste, and the truth is, the country is
not rich when it comes to that culture. They love the sound because
it’s different, and it’s new to them. And you know Nigerians. If you
want to be here for a very long time, they don’t need to see you coming.
I want to make music for everybody.” He reveals.
Over
the course of the press conference a part of Patoranking was evident:
his humble beginnings. The man was born in 1990. He grew up in Ijegun
Egba Satellite Town, Lagos, and later relocated to Ebute Metta,
two places without any aspiration to luxury. He once admitted in an
interview that odd jobs had made him survive during his days of lack,
selling rat poison and laying bricks to make ends meet. All of that is
reflected in the new album. Patoranking embraces God, who he credits as
being the driving force of his good fortunes. He also shares influences
from his past, and on many songs, preaches the message of love.
"I
named the album 'God Over Everything. looking at how rough this journey
started and where I am today - starting from the streets of Ghana where
at a point in time I had to drop out of the Cape Coast University due
to financial difficulties, then moved back to Nigeria where I served
under Timaya's 'Dem Mama Records' for years before finally getting the
green light,” says Patoranking.
Patoranking continues: “I’m
somebody that my music depicts my lifestyle, everything that has to be
about my upbringing and how I rose to fame. Patoranking generally, the
life and times of Patoranking. I got to figure out that a lot of people
want to be famous, a lot of people of people want to to be known for
different things, for wearing the best designers. Others for having a
lot of properties. But you know not everybody knows that despite
everything you have, it’s still vanity, it’s still God over everything.
Photos from Patoranking's "GOE" album press conference(Pulse)
“God Over
Everything” album will not only be officially released in Nigeria alone.
An unspecified number of countries have been mentioned, with Ghana,
South Africa, and Jamaica also included in the roll-out plan. That’s
where his 2015 deal with VP Records come in. Known as the world’s
biggest reggae record label, they gave Patoranking a recording deal in
2015. He rejected. Choosing to honour his legal contract with his
Nigerian house, Foston Music.
The contract I
signed with VP Records was a distribution contract.” He says. “Their
work was to distribute Pato’s album, singles and everything. Even though
what they wanted was a recording contract. Foston Music is the label.
It’s like every other record label that makes sure that everything is
being done properly for the artiste. VP was on the international side,
trying to take the face and brand of Patoranking outside Africa. They’re
distributing this one, it’s four days, and it is looking good. I was so
surprised to see it on the world reggae chart. I think it was number
one after day 3, and right now it is number 3.
Source: Pulse.ng
Oh boy, i believe patoranking die, enough said..
#dontakeitP
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