The year 2014 will go down in the annals of
Nigerian music as eventful. The average life
span of a hit is a maximum of three months
and indeed the year witnessed a plethora of
hits. And among the lot who made 2014 a
resounding year for music lovers are self styled
Musical Taliban, Oritsefemi, and new kid on the
block, Patoranking. Both are unarguably among
the most sought after acts of 2014. Against the
backdrop of their exploits this year, music
pundits here determine which of them would
rule 2015.
PATORANKING
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie aka Patoranking is a
reggae/dancehall singer and songwriter. His
journey to stardom was rough as he did several
menial jobs to make ends meet. The indigene of
Ebonyi State who grew up in Lagos started his
music career as a dancer and later went into
collaborations with Reggie Rockstone, Konga,
Slam and XProject. In 2010, he signed a record
deal with K-Solo’s Igberega Records and
dropped a single entitled, UP in D Club.
Patoranking’s influences include Bob Marley,
Buju Banton, Lucky Dube, Fela Kuti, Majek
Fashek and Tuface Idibia among others. The
musician has bagged numerous nominations
and awards including Headies’ Next Rated, Best
Reggae/Dancehall and Best Collabo.
ORITSEFEMI
Award winning Double Wahala singer,
Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele simply known as
Oritsefemi, was born and raised in the ghetto of
Ajegunle, Lagos. The indigene of Warri North,
Delta State started his musical career right
from the primary school. He was a bass
guitarist and also lead vocalist at the Cherubim
and Seraphim Church, Ajegunle. A member of
the now defunct Junglist, Oritsefemi dropped
two albums before going solo in 2006, the
same year he released Elewon. According to the
musician, growing up on the streets has
influenced his sound, which he describes as
reality or conscience music. Oritsefemi has four
albums to his credit including Flog Politicians,
Wicked World, Unfadeable, and Musical Taliban.

phyno