Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie with the stage name Patoranking is the new kid on the block making waves in the Reggae Dancehall genre. The ‘Girlie O’ and ‘lubarika’ crooner spoke with ORUKPE NELSON, highlighting his growing years in the slums and how music has changed his life for good.

Tell us about your growing

My life is something I am always happy to share. I grew up in the ghetto; I grew up in the slum. When I mean slum, some people hear about poverty and some actually live in poverty. I belong to the group that lived in poverty. I wanted to go to school to read Information Technology but I was not opportune. I just had to pursue music. Life in the ghetto offers you few options. It’s either I did music or I would have been on the headlines of that popular TV program, that showcase robbers; Crime Fighters. I was determined to come out of poverty. Being the first child of the family, I needed to change the face for my family. So I did a lot of hustling. Rat killer was one of the few things I hawked on the streets of Lagos. I hawked on the popular Kingsway road in Ikoyi close to Golden gate. I sold rat killer in traffic and other types of ‘runs’ just to make ends meet while I pursued my dream of doing music.

Now that you have fame, will you still pursue your dream to study Information Technology?

Yes definitely, I am working towards that. It’s not going to be easy though, I am just going to try and find a balance around it all. If you check it very well, I am on my fourth song, so still very new and I am trying to create a balance and then go back to school.

Of all the many genres of music why did you choose the Reggae dance hall?

I only wanted to stand out in my music career. One of the major reasons why I choose reggae was to fight my shyness in getting the girls. I remember back then in secondary school, if you don’t know how to mime songs you are not going to get the girls and I like standing out. So I listened to more reggae songs and learnt how to mime them. I learnt how to sing all Bob Marley songs by heart.

You have always said you wanted to be the next Bob Marley which is actually a big dream. How are you preparing yourself to fit into that big shoe?

Yes I am getting closer to the dream every day. My career is about sixteen months old and the signs are there that we are going to be big by God’s grace and we are doing everything possible to make that dream a reality.

How do you get inspirations for your songs?

It comes from above and above only.

Last year you left Dem Mama Records and there was rumour everywhere that that there was problem between you and Timaya. Can you throw more light on what really happened?

I didn’t leave Dem mama records. Timaya is like a father and a mentor to me. Timaya is like my boss as well as my family. We still speak almost on daily basis. What happened was I got signed to an international outfit which is Foston Musik from South Africa and everything went accordingly.

If it was done accordingly, why was it all over the media that you had problems with Timaya?

Well, not from Timaya, he didn’t say if we had issues or not. But I am telling you from Patoranking and from Timaya’s mouth right now, there was no issue.

Are you saying you didn’t sign any form of contract with Timaya’s records and also don’t you think it is criminal to leave a record before its tenure expires?

No I didn’t leave; I was on Timaya’s album last year. That should tell you that nothing happened. I am being very honest with you on this. Dem Mama Records is like a family; so many artists are under it doing their things. What happened was that an international outfit came and said they would like to take Patoranking to the international stage. So everything was done amicably. Dem Mama Records will always continue to be my family.

So are you rich?

Well I am happy right now. The most important thing is that so many things have changed. My family is happy and everybody around me is happy and that is what counts for me.

Have you moved your family away from the slums?

Yes I have moved them away from Ilaje Ebute Metta precisely where we lived for so many years.

What would you like to give back to the Ilaje community where you started?

I will like to give them virtually everything I can give within my own power. Last year I went to a school there and killed two cows. I am a Rasta man and I know how it feels coming from the ghetto. Anybody that lives in that slum is still in the dark. I grew up in a compound where there is no toilet. The only toilet we had has been under the bridge; the one that led to Constain and Apongbon from the National Theatre That was our toilet for so many years. Do you know what that feels like? I am currently doing things in that direction now. I have projects going on and talking to people. I want to build schools for my people and also a Health Centre for them. I will also like to build a football turf, like the kind of football pitch they built around Lagos with artificial grass. Those are the things I will like to do that will put smiles on their faces. For now, I am still climbing. My career is quite young but these are things I have in mind to do for my people.

What kind of memory brings you close to tears when you think about it?

I think there are two instances. I remember the first time I gained admission into secondary school, I was nine years old, Citizen comprehensive college in 1999 and it was quite expensive for my folks. That was the first time I was seeing my Dad in tears. I am not saying this for people to pity me. That is how life is. Secondly was when I told them I gained admission to the university and they told me that I have to wait for the training of my younger ones.

Did your parents oppose your music career at the beginning?

They were scared. I remember my mum was always crying everyday saying that I want to use my music to kill her in Lagos. She wanted me to go to school by all means and was scared that my love for music was distracting me from that dream.

Can you mention some of the people that helped bring you to limelight?

I had so many instrumentals that helped to shape my music career. First and foremost, God and then different people played different roles. If I wasn’t able to meet any of them, I wouldn’t have met the other person. This is because I met Slanky in Ghana; through Slanky, I met K Solo. When I was in K Solo’s camp, I got to meet Timaya and from Timaya to where I am today. So I am very thankful for the chain of friends God brought to my path.

At a point you started dressing as a school boy, it’s that your own fashion sense?

I had a school boy outfit while I was performing. I can tie wrapper and perform on stage. It’s all about the art. It is just a stage thing and not necessarily what I call my fashion sense.

Describe your fashion style?

My fashion style is called the Whayasay trend. Let me define the Whayasay trend. It’s a style that is unplanned. You just wake up, two hours to your meeting and dress anyhow you feel like.

What other string of business, do you have any aside from music?

I intend to set up a record label in future. That is also how I want to give back to the society.

Why are you not on dreadlocks like fellow Rastas?

I don’t have to wear dreadlocks to be a Rasta. You can have the longest locks in the world but if your heart is not clean, if you don’t have a good heart you can’t be a Rasta man. So it is all about your mindset.

What is your signature perfume?

It is Bond NYC