Famously known as Patoranking, Patrick Nnaemeka Okrie is a 34-year-old Nigerian musician who champions reggae-dancehall music in Africa. He moved from being a school dropout to a successful professional musician with a career that has lasted 15 years.
Patoranking remains one of the top charting musicians in Africa with hit songs like Celebrate Me (2021), Abule (2020), My Woman, My Everything (2017), and Suh Different (2018).
Away from his music career, Patrick is a father of 2 from his past relationships. Here is all we know.
A Brief Biography Of Patrick Nnaemeka
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie was born on May 27, 1990, in Ijegun-Egba, Lagos State as the first of 3 children. His younger siblings are Raphael and Sharon.
The musician is an Igbo native from Ebonyi State in the southeastern region of Nigeria. However, he has lived most of his life in Lagos where he started his life at Satelite Town in the Ijegun-Egba.
He attended Citizen Comprehensive College in Epe, Lagos and later enrolled at Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School in Iponri.
Did You Know These Facts About Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie?
1. His Stage Name (Patoranking) Was Given to Him by a Jamaican
Patrick was named Patoranking by a Jamaican he came across while he was a carnival dancer and street jam singer at Alpha Beach in Lagos.
The Jamaican derived the name “Patoranking” from the singer’s first name Patrick. According to the Jamaican, “Pato” and “ranking” from Jamaican slang mean highly respected.
2. He Dropped out of School as a result of Financial Constraints
After completing high school, Patrick moved to Ghana in 2007 to further his education after gaining admission to the University of Cape Coast. However, he dropped out due to financial reasons.
After dropping out of university, he met Lanky, a businessman who signed him to his label, Black Rhythmz Entertainment.
Subsequently, he started a solo career and released his first album, So Nice in 2009. Although the album did not become successful, it marked the beginning of his journey into stardom.
Meanwhile, while signed to Black Rhythmz Entertainment, Patoranking took a job at a restaurant and at an Accra Mall.
He recorded a few songs with Black Rhymz Entertainment before he decided to return to Nigeria.
3. 2013 marked a turning point in his career
Upon his return to Nigeria, Patrick joined K-Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2012, where he recorded “Iya Bisi”, featuring Qdot and Kbaj.
However, his career breakthrough was in 2013 when he released a song, Alubarika featuring one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musicians, Timaya.
In February 2014, Patoranking ended his affiliations with Dem Mama Records and then signed a record deal with Foston Musik.
His albums include God Over Everything (2016), Wilmer (named after his first daughter) (2019), and Three (2020).
4. Patoranking is the First African Singer to Partner With The World’s Largest Reggae Company
The 34-year-old Nigerian musician signed a deal with VP Records in 2015, which released his debut album, God Over Everything in 2016. The deal made him become the first African to be signed by the biggest reggae label company.
More to his achievements, he was the first African to perform at the largest reggae song festival in Jamaica after he signed the deal. As one of the champions of reggae dancehall artists in Africa, the singer has received several nominations and awards in his musical career which include:
Nominations
- Most Played Street Hop Song in the 2021 Net Honours
- Best Dancehall Artist in the 2015 AFRIMA
- Best Pop Song in 2015 The Headies Award.
- Best Reggae Dance Hall Single in 2015 The Headies Awards.
- Most Gifted Newcomer in 2014 Channel O Music Awards
Awards
- Best Dancehall Artist in the 2016 AFRIMA
- African Artiste of the Year Award in 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards
- Best New Act in the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards
- Best Afro-pop Song in the 2015 TooXclusive Online Music Awards.
- Best New Act in the 2014 Ben TV Awards
5. The Musician is also a Philanthropist
Okorie is a known philanthropist. The Lagos-born has been able to provide full-paid scholarships for young Africans to attend the university. Similarly, he is funding the education of many kids in his hometown, ranging from primary to tertiary institutions.
Furthermore, the star was engaged in a UNICEF program where they donated to children who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEE ALSO: African Musicians: 20 Best Musicians Redefining The Continent
6. What’s the truth about His Marital Status?
Patoranking has over the years been romantically linked to several women but has never walked any of them down the aisle. Among others, he was romantically linked to the Ghanaian television personality, Joselyn Dumas, and Leila Stone.
The singer was also alleged to be married to the Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade in 2021. However, the speculations were only sparked after Patoranking and Yemi featured as a bride and groom in the music video of Patorankin’s song with Flavour Mon Bebe.
7. The 34-Year-Old Singer is a Father of 2
Patoranking is a proud father from his previous relationships. His first daughter Wilmer Okorie was born on August 20, 2018, and is currently 6 years old.
Although, he hasn’t disclosed the name of his mother’s daughter, a lot of sources have suggested that Amaka might be the mother. Meanwhile, he also has a second child daughter called Welda Okorie.
8. The Reggae-dancehall Artist Performed at The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
Patoranking was selected by FIFA to be part of the musicians to perform in Qatar 2022. He joined the likes of Kizz Daniel and Davido to perform at the event. The singer performed on Monday, November 28 at Al Bidda Park and he began his performance with one of his popular songs titled “No Kissing Babe”.
9. Patoranking is a Football Lover
Despite being a talented singer, Patoranking also loves football and belongs to Arsenal F.C. Because of his love for the game, he centered the theme of his Celebrate Me music video on football.
10. He has a Net Worth of $5 Million
Patrick Nnaemeka has an amassed net worth of $5 million and the singer has made this amount through music tours, shows, ticket sales, album sales, and concerts. Again, he has a record label named Amari Musiq which he has signed other artists like Grey C and Walid.
He has also made a lot of fortune as a guest Judge of The Voice Nigeria. The music artiste also announced a partnership between him and the hair extension manufacturer, Darling Hair. Moreover, his hit single, ‘Black Girl Magic’ is one of the ‘products’ of the partnership.
