Firstly, we were able to take an advance listen to the album and were amazed. We are so happy that this music is now shared with the rest of the world. Patoranking is an incredibly awesome artist whose talent knows no bounds. With his unique blend of reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeat, he has captivated audiences worldwide with his infectious rhythms and soulful lyrics. His music not only makes you want to dance but also resonates deeply with its powerful messages of love, unity, and social consciousness. Patoranking’s ability to effortlessly switch between genres and infuse his tracks with his unmistakable charisma showcases his versatility and artistry. His impact on the music industry is undeniable, and his dedication to using his platform for positive change makes him not just an amazing artist but also a true inspiration. Stream the brand new album here.
You’ve been described as one of the boldest African voices of this generation, merging galala, reggae, and dancehall influences into your music. How did you develop this unique signature style, and how does it feel to see Afrobeats gaining such global recognition?
Thank you very much.
I’m gonna start with the latter. It’s a beautiful feeling this is happening in my time you know, and I can’t even fully explain how I feel because everyday we wake up to something new and it’s promising. The future we talked about is here now you know, simply an amazing feeling.
And for me, I wanna say being one of the boldest voices, yes; the ghetto made me who I am today. You know the mindset of how Patoranking thinks and function you know is as a result of growing up, as a result of my environment, and I grew up in the ghetto. And If you listen to ghetto music; Galala Music you know you can tell, or you’d be able to tell that we pour anger, we pour our frustration, we pour love, we talk about life you know with Rhythms and sounds and that makes the music; the Galala Music. So there’s a confidence that comes with that genre you know. And for me being someone that I want people to look up to from the ghetto is also another reasons I had to go for it with courage. So I’ll say the ghetto made me who I am, you know developed, nurtured my skills. The character I have today, yeah I learnt everything from the ghetto. And Galala; I use to say is the step-child of reggae. That genre actually is the one that shaped me musically you know to know the power I have and being able to use it; which is my voice.
Your upcoming album “World Best” features a diverse range of collaborations, from Ludacris and Beenie Man to rising African artists like Victony and Gyakie. Can you tell us about the creative process behind bringing these global icons and emerging talents together on a single project?
Yeah the process of making the album was very beautiful. It was a seamless one, which is the word I’ve been using, yeah because everything was just flowing. The mood we used to record. Creating; from producers to artiste features was just awesome you know. While recording the album I could actually see myself where I wanna be. And that’s the feeling you’ll get when you listen to the album. You know calling the album “World Best” is very very pivotal to have talents from different parts of the world you know. That makes the project sound like what’s it called you know. So for me I had a good time making the album; yes beautiful moments from sessions with Gyakie to meeting Victony. Beenie Man’s session was everything. You know what it means; someone you look up to; the King Of Dancehall and you’re in the studio with the person. For me it was a good one.
Babylon” featuring Victony is highlighted as the focus track on your upcoming album. Could you share some insights into the themes and messages explored in this song, and why you chose it as the standout piece of the album?
Yeah if you hear the name of the album, it’s “World Best” and for me if you been following my career from the beginning like you said you’ll understand that affirmation is key for me. In many of my songs, all the things I have said have all come to pass. Same way this album when you hear “World Best” I see myself, picture myself as the World Best.
Now it’s not even about me, it’s about that that young person in the ghetto or anyone who identifies with my story. I came from nothing, the journey although is still not easy and that’s life but we are still going. We can’t stop. And I hope and pray that my life, my journey and my music gives the listener hope.
“Babylon” me and Vic are talking about how it wasn’t easy you know, there were times we wanted to quit but we kept going and we are still going. They say if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything, So we are standing for something and that’s babylon. Yes regardless of how the world is we are still gonna sail through, we are still gonna come out successful regardless.
I want you to listen to this song and feel like you’re unstoppable, you’re untouchable. No matter the stumbling blocks you meet you are going to sail through.
You’ve achieved remarkable milestones, including over 500 million YouTube views and a massive following on social media platforms like Instagram. How do you think these digital platforms have played a role in connecting you with fans worldwide and spreading your music’s influence?
Oh it’s been massive. It’s been a massive one. Just imagine; how do you expect me to feel coming from a place where we only had small corner cyber cafés. And you couldn’t even go in there if you didn’t have money. We couldn’t even afford a phone or even internet. I wish I could tell my 9 or 10 year old self back then not to worry and that my dreams would eventually come through where I can afford internet, become big online and have this many people watch my music video. Me Pato! The journey has been long and I can only say it’s up from here.
Imagine having 500million eyeballs watch and listen to music, you know what that means, Digital platforms have played and continue to play a massive role in my career. Feels great to be connected to all my fans all over.
Your music has been praised for its fusion of Afrobeats and dancehall, contributing to the global spread of these genres. With “Tonight” featuring Popcaan being a glimpse into your forthcoming album, can you provide us with a teaser of what listeners can expect from “World Best,” in terms of sound and overall experience?
Sonically, the album is there and heavily musically inclined. Lyrically it’s deep. Trust me this one is one for the books. I expect you to feel happy. I expect you to feel like World Best. I expect you to have a feeling that you can’t explain when you listen to the project. Because all these feelings I just mentioned that was how I felt in making it, in putting it together. And trust me I can’t wait for September 6, I can’t wait for you guys to hear what “World Best” sounds like. I’m the type that really don’t talk much, I let my music do the talking and you’re gonna hear that when the album drops.
Is there something you want to share that we haven’t talked about?
Yeah for me humanity you know; service to humanity is something I live by. That is something I wanna pass to the next generation, and it’s very important. That’s the legacy I wanna leave behind. I wanna be able to look at myself and say yeah through Patoranking xyz lives have been touched. That’s what I live for. Yeah I’m excited about the album. There’s so many things to be done around it. There’s a lot about World Best. World Best is not just a title. World Best is a responsibility. World Best is a movement. World Best is a mindset. And I believe this project is gonna solidify all these key words I just mentioned. And I can’t wait for the album to be out you know. Big shoutout to everyone supporting my music. Keep supporting me and keep spreading the good message of Patoranking.
Lastly check out some of Patoranking’s music videos below:
Photos // Elliot Hensford
Words // Will Bollini
