My survival started from the streets of Osu - Patoranking

Patoranking, one of the most celebrated reggae-dancehall artists in Africa, has attributed his rising fame to the higher power - God.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Starr 103.5 FM, Patrick Nnaemeka, recounted his music career started off in Ghana, adding he was grateful things are turning out excellently for him after some struggles.

“I started music from my mum’s belly, but dancehall has always been something that I grew up listening to and it was perfected in Ghana,” Patoranking told STARR DRIVE host Bola Ray Monday.

Nnaemeka first came to Ghana in 2007 after he was admitted into the Cape Coast University. After a year at the university, he dropped out due to financial constraints.

Pato said his family could not support him through school so he had to defer his courses at the university to find other means of surviving the world.

“I had to move from Cape Coast to Accra. I was sleeping on the streets of Osu just to make it. We must make am now…survival at all cost…” he said in a deep Nigerian accent.

“The only option I had” at that point “was making it in life because I just had to change the course of my family, the face of my family you know…being the first child...I just say thank you Lord and to everybody that never doubted me. I pray for them still and we’re still together,” he added.

Pato met a young Ghanaian entrepreneur named Lanky off the streets of Osu who was ready to partner with him to achieve his dreams.

Lanky started a production company called ‘Black Rhythms Entertainment’ and made a few tracks with young Pato.

According to the ‘Up in D Club’ star, although the songs enjoyed some airplay it was difficult to break through in Ghana so he went back to Nigeria upon the invitation of a friend.

Back home, he got signed on a record deal with a producer named K-Solo who exposed him to a wider Nigerian audience, but he still remained an underground performer until he had his big break after he collaborated with his senior in the game Timaya on his track Alubarika.

“For two years I’ve had about 120 collabos with people. I was just working hard I wasn’t working smart, that’s the difference. Talent plus hard work yields to nothing. Talent plus money yields success,” he said lightheartedly.

Now a celebrated hit maker, Patoranking said he wants to give back to the streets and serve as a role model to young Africans.

“Coming from the streets, I know what it is and giving back to the streets I know how that feels as well so I’m gonna take it one step at a time.”

Patoranking is in Ghana for a few days and is looking at collaborating with some Ghanaian dancehall icons whiles in town. Some of the names he is considering are Samini, Shatta Wale, Ad Episode as suggested by the boss himself Bola Ray.

Pato has already collaborated with Fuse ODG and Stonbwoy and many more acts including Slimmze, Chopstix, Slagga Lee and the Sexy Tiwa Savage.

Pato just released a new single titled ‘Happy Day’ three days ago.