Is Patoranking the best reggae artist in Nigeria?

Is Patoranking the best reggae artist in Nigeria?

Reggae is a style of Jamaican music that evolved in the late 1960’s. Later, it became a major part of the music of Nigeria, especially after the rise of singer Majek Fashek. Reggae music was propelled into the mainstream Nigerians in the mid eighties. During this period, FM radio stations became a viable medium of choice for many recording artists and record label executives. As the years have progressed, so too has the face of Reggae music in Nigeria. Fusing many styles with Reggae beats, a new generation of Nigerian Reggae artists have emerged. Blending styles that borrow influences from Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Dance-Hall traditions; artists such as Timaya, P-Square, Esco Banton, Banky W, Ice Prince, Winning Jah and Benny Paladin expand the definition of Nigerian born Reggae artists, maintaining the trends of Reggae music as seen throughout the world. And with more modern influences from artists such as Burna Boy and Patoranking (our artist focus).

Brief, lets remind you that there was a time the comparison between Burna Boy and Patoranking grew to such an high intense as to who was a better reggae artist, but this made one of the rivals so mad and angry. Question is, why was he angry? And why do people hate or keep a gripping face to criticism? How would you possibly know you’re better than the other person, if proper and constructive comparisons are not been carried out! From the unanalytical data been collated it seem one of our artist is currently the best in the reggae Nigerian music industry.

Patoranking is unarguably one of the hottest of the vase reggae artist in Nigeria. He has been able to set himself apart from his other counterparts from his vocals, style, delivery and song contents.
Patoranking rose to prominence in the Nigerian music industry thanks to his unique blend of dancehall, reggae music and select African percussion lines. His first big break meanwhile was the collaboration Alubarika with Timaya, one of Africa’s top dancehall acts. The song meaning God’s blessings is a true story of his transition from grass to grace.

Patoranking, the oldest in a family of five, was raised in a small slum known as Ilaje in Lagos, Nigeria. His family lived in extreme poverty forcing Patoranking to become a hawker on the streets at a young age. This drove him to pursue a career in music to make life better for him and his family. His career began to flourish when he started working behind the scenes with veteran artistes such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone.


In 2017, Patoranking won an award for Best African Artist at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). Selected in 2015 as MTV Base Artist of the Month, Patoranking went on to win the coveted Best New Act MTV Award in the same year. He also won Best New Act of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards and The Next Rated Award at the 2014 Headies Awards - Nigeria’s most prestigious music ceremony. In 2014, he officially signed a record deal with Foston Musik. Under the label, he has released five of his acclaimed hit singles. In a breakout streak, he has performed in Mauritius, New York, and at the Notting Hill Carnival alongside American pop superstar Tinashe in London.

He was also the first African artist to perform at the Reggae Sumfest festival in Jamaica.
The event took place from 16 to 22 July, 2017 to be precise, at Montego Bay, and Patoranking became the first artist from his country and continent to perform at what is acknowledged as reggae music’s biggest platform.
Since the first edition of the festival in 1993, Reggae Sumfest, "the biggest concert festival in Jamaica", has attracted top artists in the genre including Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Damian and Stephen Marley and others. Pop acts 50 Cent, Usher and Rihanna have also performed at the festival.

Amazingly, Pato started his career as a street jam and carnival dancer, and from a very impoverished home, and the singer has clearly defeated all his fears and living up to his greatness.