Patoranking: Underrated hitmaker or World Best?

19 Sep 2023 - 08:29

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

For some reason, no one ever thinks Patoranking is capable of striking gold – until he does. He maintains a tidy pop image, averages a hit after every couple of songs, collaborates successfully, and is great in front of a live band. Nevertheless, his fortunes have frequently left him overlooked, a feeling he confronts in his 2021 single ‘Celebrate Me’.

Patoranking.

Oddly, this has also allowed him a certain licence to explore anything and everything while remaining under a radar that would otherwise have exposed him to excessive public scrutiny. This has shaped him into a quiet talisman. Even if the elements have conspired against you, the trick is to be consistent while believing to be ‘world best’. This is precisely what the Nigerian singer has done on his new LP, his first collection in three years and his fourth altogether.

The 15-tracker, rooted in Patoranking’s trusted reggae-dancehall style, is a platter of sounds from both sides of the Atlantic. It is a modest leap forward from his previous album Three, which gave us ‘Abule’, ‘Mon Bébé’, ‘Yo Body’ and ‘Available’ – but a leap nonetheless. Like the project it succeeds, World Best swims in thematic diversity and excellent production spanning Afrobeats, hip hop, R&B, highlife, amapiano and more. And when an offering takes the approach of a live recording or invokes that feel, it works wonders.

On their own, each of the songs can survive as singles, catering to a specific sonic and thematic purpose that also corroborates Patoranking’s versatility. For instance, ‘Abobi’, which harks back to traditional rhythms, is a harrowing commentary on the grim consequences of police brutality, turf wars and discord along ethnic and religious lines. The titillating dancehall track ‘Kolo Kolo’ pledges conjugal loyalty. The Victony-assisted ‘Babylon’, exuding spiritual resonance, chronicles navigating a perilous world. ‘Mama’, steered on highlife, is yet another tribute to a mother’s heart, while ‘Smoke & Vibes’, of a similar genre identity, cautions against social vices.

However, as a whole, the album can feel disjointed due to its fragmented genre focus. An album should have a smooth, consistent flow, and balancing multiple genre stylings can disrupt the stream. This is the bane of many Afrobeats projects.

To establish a connecting thread, however, consider this: Despite its title, the album’s core revolves around ‘Miracle Baby’ featuring US rapper Ludacris. The track is strategically placed in eighth position, the centrepiece of the collection. This song is marked by its triumphant choral and saxophone components and symbolises Patoranking’s unexpected ascent to success. In his estimation, he was not supposed to be here, but against all odds and thanks to God’s leading light, he has defied expectations and emerged as a “miracle baby.”

Patoranking’s artistry demands a fresh appraisal thanks to the uncanny timing of his releases, which often carry a prognostic quality. In 2021, after the passing of Nigerian pop veteran Sound Sultan, ‘Celebrate Me’ gained deeper meaning. And recently, following the death of Mohbad, ‘Abobi’ has become a significant soundtrack.

Ultimately, World Best is enjoyable but only after multiple spins. Hopefully, fans find it worth the effort.