Patoranking: Ghana has a stronger music scene than Nigeria

Speaking to True Africa about his life before his 2013 breakthrough, he talked about the time he spent in Ghana. Even though he was sent to school in the country by his parents, he dropped out and began chasing after a music career. “I was there alone without my family, it wasn’t really easy," he said. "I love Ghana; it’s a very peaceful place.”

Patoranking, whose foreign concerns are organised by renowned reggae label VP, came to public notice with the song ‘Alubarika’ featuring his compatriot Timaya, who seemed like a mentor to the younger artist. Both soon parted ways when Patoranking signed a deal with a different label, leaving Timaya’s Dem Mama Records.

Nonetheless, their song together established Patoranking and his partly message-driven music. “You know if you hear 'Alubarika', it’s a bit conscious,” he said. "It was my first song that brought me into the limelight in Nigeria. I have more conscious songs. Even me just talking about love is conscious.”

Even as his main influences are the legendary afrobeat maestro Fela Kuti and Jamaica’s Bob Marley and Buju Banton, he holds a fondness for Ghana, where he met hiplife great Reggie Rockstone. “I like their musical heritage,” he said. “They have a very strong scene – moreso than Nigeria. That was one of the things that appealed to me.’”