Patoranking has appreciated Timaya for supporting his music career till the “point of success”.

The 31-year-old reggae singer lavished Timaya with adulation during the ‘Big Name’ concert which was held in Lagos on Boxing Day.

The concert also features heavyweight artists like Flavour, Yemi Alade, Niniola, Beenie Man, The Cavemen, among others.

During his performance, the ‘Abule’ crooner recalled how he moved in with Timaya in his Lagos apartment in 2011.

He said though they had initially met in 2009, on meeting again, the ace singer had mandated him to stay at his place until he put out “a sweet song”.

Patoranking disclosed that at the time, he was residing in one of the slums in Lagos and saw Timaya’s directive as one that was “irresistible”.

He added that after they moved to Lekki, he recorded ‘Alubarika’, his breakthrough single, featuring Timaya, and has since then enjoyed fame.

Patoranking said without Timaya, he would still be living in poverty with unfulfilled dreams, scampering for where the next meal would come.

“Around 2011, after we met in 2009. 2011, I came home, and as he saw me, he asked where I have been all this while and I told him I have been hustling,” he said.

“He said if I don’t record a sweet song, I would not leave his house. And that time, I was staying in a ghetto. First day, I recorded and I tried to impress him because he was staying on an estate at the time and I know I won’t pay for rent, studio, and food.

“That was how God used him to bless me.  We were staying at Maruwa garden on the mainland, so I moved with him to Lekki. On getting to Lekki, we started hustling, I then recorded ‘Alubarika’. When we recorded the song, everything changed.

“If Timaya wasn’t there, if he didn’t pay for that video or let me stay in his house, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Before becoming a protégé of Timaya’s Dem Mama Records, Patoranking was first signed to K-Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2010.