Watch: Nigerian Patoranking Taps Jamaican Popcaan on “Tonight” + Album Announce
Nigerian recording artist Patoranking cements his status as one of the boldest African voices of this generation. His signature sound of good vibrations, afrobeats and dancehall blend effortlessly on his latest single and video “Tonight” featuring Jamaican star Popcaan. The vibrant summer banger is a precursor to his fourth studio album World Best slated for release later this year.
The contagious feeling to dance gets the audience moving from the instant bass drum’s pound on “Tonight.” The uptempo beat, produced by DJ Breezy, channels galala. The sound and dance is one of Patoranking’s favorite musical stylings originated in the ghetto areas of Nigeria where the reggae & dancehall-inspired genre was birthed. The layer of Popcaan echoing Patoranking’s call for a stress-free life where weed and women are the spoils, is parallel to some of the themes by the Jamaican Unruly Boss.
In the Charlie Sarsfield-directed video, Patoranking, Popcaan and a plethora of women pull up to an English countryside mansion for a night to remember.
Since Patoranking broke onto the scene in 2014, he has raked in multiple accolades from Best New Act at MTV Africa Music Awards (2015) to Forbes Africa including him in their 30 Under 30 class in 2020. He opened for Ms. Lauryn Hill on her 2018 Miseducation 20th Anniversary U.S. arena tour and headlined 2022’s official FIFA World Cup Fan Fest Stage to over 50k fans. With over 500m + YouTube views, 8.7m + loyal Instagram followers and 250m+ DSP streams for his latest album Three (2021), Pato continues to climb the ranks and draw in fandom from around the globe.
His anticipated album World Best is named after the nickname given to him by his fans. It is a collection of songs centered upon love for others, reflecting the same love that was given to him through the glowing alias. The celebratory tone of the album lifts up Patoranking as a beholder of the beauty of humanity, making him truly World Best.
Patoranking shares, “I’m very excited about my album because I am currently in a good place in my life. My fans can expect good music only. Music that makes us celebrate love and life. I also have some surprising features on this.” More will be announced at a later date.
“Tonight” is available now on all DSPs: https://orcd.co/tonightpatoranking
ABOUT PATORANKING
Patoranking, born Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie on May 27, 1990 in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria, is one of African music’s most multifaceted artists. The international star’s afro dancehall and reggae anthems have resonated from West Africa to the Caribbean. His hits with top acts Tiwa Savage (“Girlie O”), Wizkid (“This Kind Love”), Major Lazer (“Particula”), Buju Banton (“Blessed More Blessed Remix”) Wande Coal (“My Woman, My Everything”), Diamond Platnumz (“Love You Die”) and Sauti Sol (“Melanin”) have further made him an icon. His first major solo hit “Girlie O” in 2014 led to three Best New Act awards at the Headies, Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2014) and at the MTV Africa Awards (2015). Hits like “Daniella Whine” and “My Woman, My Everything” (which won MTV Africa’s Song of the Year award) also grew his international profile. His first LP, God Over Everything (2016) debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Also in 2016, Patoranking joined the cast of reality TV series The Voice Nigeria as a judge, bringing him into the homes of millions in West Africa weekly. In 2019, he released his second LP, Wilmer, which debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Through all of his successes, he has devoted himself to giving back. In 2020, he created the ALU Patoranking Scholarship, offering 10 fully-paid scholarships for promising students from across Africa to attend the prestigious African Leadership University. Undeterred by Covid-19, Patoranking kept busy, completing his third album in three years entitled Three. The LP features his biggest hit “Abule.” In September 2022 Patoranking received two accolades at The Headies Awards in Atlanta for Best Dancehall Album for Three and Record of the Year for his last single “Celebrate Me”. Prior to “Tonight” feat. Popcaan, he unleashed “Abobi” earlier this year, which will also be featured on his forthcoming 2023 album.
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Watch Patoranking “Tonight” feat. Popcaan video: