Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, recently shared poignant insights during an interview. When questioned about Nigerian music and his contribution to humanity through his songs, Patoranking underscored his commitment to the streets, urging people to delve into the substance of song lyrics rather than being captivated solely by glamorous lifestyles.
In the discourse, Patoranking used the late Mohbad as a poignant example. He suggested that a more attentive approach to lyrics could have potentially revealed signs in Mohbad's music, offering a deeper understanding of the artist's emotional state and struggles.
Patoranking's statement echoes the sentiment that in the pursuit of enjoying music, the lyrical content often takes a backseat. Several individuals responded to Patoranking's remarks, expressing a mix of sadness and realization. @MAYORWATT01 lamented the diminishing focus on lyrics, emphasizing a prevailing desire to simply dance to the beats. Meanwhile, @SimonEwoh called for a focus on justice for Mohbad's family, acknowledging that the artist had found peace.
On a reflective note, @IamBlaccode commented on the inherent ability of music to convey hidden truths through melodies and lyrics. They suggested that Mohbad's music had been dropping clues about life's struggles, emphasizing the importance of reading between the lines.
However, not all reactions resonated with Patoranking's perspective. @DRDammy4 pushed back, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of paying attention to lyrics. They argued that even if clues were present in an artist's work, the audience might not be inclined to notice or respond.
As the discussion unfolded, a video snippet of Patoranking's statement circulated on social media, further amplifying the conversation around the significance of lyrics in music. The diverse reactions highlight the complex relationship between artists, their creations, and the audiences' varying degrees of engagement with the lyrical narratives embedded in the music.
[blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"]
"If we had paid attention to the lyrics, we would have seen signs from Mohbad"
– Patoranking [a href="https://t.co/d0twZI2KV5"]pic.twitter.com/d0twZI2KV5[/a]
— OLAMIDE 🌸💖 (@Olamide0fficial) [a href="https://twitter.com/Olamide0fficial/status/1727934021018030491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"]November 24, 2023[/a]
[/blockquote]