Over the weekend, Lagos-born singer Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking held an exclusive listening party for fans at Nairobi’s The Vanguard Lounge, in Westlands.
The gruff-voiced singer, who is visiting Kenya for the second time this year, thrilled fans with impromptu performances as he dove into his forthcoming album ‘World’s Best’, performing some of the most anticipated songs from the 15-track album.
In an exclusive event that was attended by some of Kenya’s most notable names in showbiz and entertainment, Patoranking shone like a megastar, taking fans through a repertoire of some of his biggest hits as well as new songs, from ‘Suh Different’ to the Popcaan-asssited ‘Tonight’.
The singer, whose album cover depicts him sitting ‘on top of Africa’, told Citizen Digital that he felt like he has finally conquered Africa and was intensely looking to dominate the globe too.
“Look at my eyes in that photo,” he said. “You can see the zeal in my eyes. I’m sitting on top of Africa since I have already become the best. I’m now looking to conquer the world. No longer Africa, but the entire world. I have my eyes set on dominating the globe,” he said.
The ‘Kolo Kolo’ master also took time to speak about his love for Kenya and Kenyan fans, appreciating the love he has always recieved here while also noting that Kenya was more than just another country to him.
“Kenya is home. I’ve always felt like home when I’m here. In fact, I’m here more times than you can tell. I’ve always been treated like family here and have even learned some basic Swahili words. Napenda Kenya sana!”
On his collaborations with Kenyan singers, Patoranking said that he is looking to work even more with some of Kenya’s biggest stars, noting that he is a huge fan of Bensoul and, largely, the entire Sol Generation.
“You seem to always have a very close relationship with Diamond Platnumz… Why is it so? Also, your working relationship appears to be fantastic, what can you attribute that to?” we asked.
“Diamond and I come from way back. We’ve always held each other’s back and, due to that, it’s easy for us to churn out hits every time we work together. I’ll never tire from working with Diamond Platnumz, we could even do fifty songs together if that’s what the fans want, ” he said.
‘World’s Best’ which is slated to be officially released on September 6th, also features collaborations with American rap legend Ludacris, Jamaican ‘King of the Dancehall’ Beenie Man as well as Popcaan, a singer he described as his ‘personal friend’ with whom he shares a a lotincluding family matters.
As he kept the show blazing, Patoranking was later joined on stage by his friend and frequent collaborator Bien Aime-Baraza of Sauti Sol.
Dressed casually in brown jeans, a loose top, and dark designer sunglasses, Bien joined Patoranking on stage, bringing him a bouquet of flowers, as the duo sang together, much to the crowd’s untamed excitement.
Anerlisa Muigai, Savara Mudigi, Octopizzo, Rue Baby, Nelly Oaks and actor Blessing Lung’aho were some of the local stars spotted in the crowd, having a ball.
