Patoranking Seeks Appreciation, Celebrates Self in New Music Video

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Dancehall singer and songwriter, Patoranking’s new video for his latest single, ‘Celebrate Me’, makes sense in every ting of the word “street” because he wouldn’t like to be ‘laughed at if he fails or falls’, he connotes, telling part of his grass to grace story. He sings: “Tell me, tell me where them dey/When I dey hustle I dey try sustain/Every, every Saturday from Ilaje down to Costain/ Abeg Abeg no carry my blessings run/Today na you tomorrow fit be my turn.”

The video opens with the artiste grandly making his way up a stage surrounded by female orchestra and dancers in same costume. It takes you through market place scenery with women all clad and colorfully surrounded wares, showing off an artful blend of bikers and budding footballers in a local pitch. With catchy relatable visuals, this new single tells much and shows how better Patoranking is.

In all, it’s about the theme of the song, depicted in impressive visuals. ‘Celebrate Me’ lyrics as in his other song ‘Abule’, is bound to cause a stir in the streets, if not already, leaving music lovers in awe of his wordsmith powers. It comes with this frill that pumps your moment whatever the mood. Produced by Yung Willis, and the video directed by Dammy Twitch, “Celebrate Me” serves as his first official single for 2021, and a follow-up to the album “Three”.

An earlier post had shown Patoranking, real name Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, in his studio, excited and screaming for a release date from fans just after rounding off the track. The song was then released after his last birthday. Seeking appreciation from his fans and friends to celebrate with him when he is still alive not when he is no more, he goes: “Celebrate me now when I dey alive / Appreciate me now when I dey alive / No be say when I leave this life You go dey fake am for my wife / Celebrate me now when I dey alive / Appreciate me now when I dey alive / No be say when I leave this life / You go dey fake am for my back.”

Typically, Patoranking’s ‘Celebrate Me’, has a catchy tune that you find yourself humming to as well as moving to the groove. He says “Celebrate Me is all about that – celebrate me while I am alive, don’t wait till I’m dead. Give people their flowers; you don’t have to wait for them to be in a problem before you show up for them.” The singer has always been a very conscious artiste – many of his songs have messages.

Patoranking is one of Africa’s most successful artistes, known for dancehall, but always reinventing his sound and drawing on Afrobeats and Amapiano vibes too. His artful blend of Jamaican patois and pidgin hits the spot for fans at home in Nigeria, but also in Jamaica, where he is well celebrated like their own. He’s working on a new album at the moment, but wouldn’t be drawn to what one can expect. He says in an interview: “Afroboss, you know I like surprising, you have to wait till the listening party two or three days before we drop!”