One week after the international release of the album “Wilmer” in Nigeria, international mega-star Patoranking, launched his new sound in Nairobi, giving his fans an exclusive teaser performance, at a listening party in Kiza restaurant.
The award-winning singer and songwriter who was in Kenya for a concert during the Madaraka weekend, seized the opportunity to get closer to his Nairobi fans by giving them a glimpse into his life, music career and the inspiration behind his uniquely titled album, Wilmer.
❤️ Love Made in Nairobi Kenya ?? I Love My Africa and My Africa Loves Me ?? Asante Sana ? @ibidunnioladayo #Africanroyalty #Wilmer pic.twitter.com/7Nubccsq13
— PATORANKING (@patorankingfire) June 3, 2019
Speaking during the launch, which was attended by Kenyan stars like Sauti Sol, Nyashinski among other influential personas in showbiz, the sensational artiste confessed that his journey to fame and success was not always glitz and glamour. He had to push n himself to make hay while the sun shines.
“Just picture somebody from somewhere that looks like Kibera, but in Nigeria, that was me.” The hitmaker who won MTV Africa‘s Song of the Year award for his hit single My Woman, My Everything told fans.
“I come from a place where I couldn’t tell myself I can’t make it in life because I was born in a can’t make it zone.” He continued.
As a first child feeling the weight of responsibility and fueled with dreams of providing a good life for his family, Patoranking could only depend on God over Everything hard work and his growing skills. Determined to succeed, he tried anything from selling goods on the streets with his father to playing football. Afterwards, he began dancing before he discovered his talent in music. His only priority being to save his family from the ghetto life and make it in life by doing it right. However, music too, his ultimate avenue, proved to be a bumpy ride.
“Music wasn’t easy. I remember in 2012 I had to count the number of collabos I had. As an underground artist, I had about 115 collabos with different artists from different areas. That is when I thought to myself that more than working hard, I had to start working smartly hard.” Partoranking stated.
Confident in his experience, Partoranking went back to the drawing board and that is how he rediscovered his sensational sound as a blend of reggae-dancehall with a spice of African pop.
God Over Everything was his first album containing a series of hits, including features from renowned artists like Konshens, Elephant man, Wizkid and Ghanian’s own Sarkodie.
Fast forward to 2019, the sound sultan who is also recognised for peoples’ favourite hit song, Particular, and Sauti Sol’s Melanin has recently worked with other A-list stars, bringing a series of 12 hit songs under the album Wilmer. On this album, he features Kenya’s own hitmaker Nyashinski in a song titled Nakupenda. Other international artists adding to the rich African sound include South Africa’s poet and singer, Busiswa, French solo rapper Dadju and Nigeria’s celebrated singer Davido.
Despite being a triple threat, (can sing, play and dance) his fame and success Pato, remains as humble as ever highlighting his Kenyan fan base as main supporters of his work, and a key component to his success. It is evident that Wilmer the beautiful daughter of Partoranking and the inspiration behind this second album stands as a symbol of the undying bond between father and daughter as is between Patoranking and his fans.
“My Kenyan fans have stood by me since I began my recording journey in 2010 and I wanted to thank them by giving them a chance to listen to my latest work.
My second album is a tribute to my daughter Wilmer, a reminder of why I work so hard every day so that she never lacks anything she needs,” Patoranking said.
Two singles from the album “Lenge Lenge ” and “Confirm” featuring Davido have over 5 million views combined, proving that it is only the beginning of the artist’s success in his second album.
As a fan of his work among many Kenyans I can only hope that he will return soon to show us some carnival dances as one of his songs (Go crazy) is inspired by Soca. We just can’t wait to see what’s in store next from Patoranking, the next big thing after Bob Marley as he identifies himself.
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