God Over Everything (abbreviated as G.O.E) is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Patoranking. It was released on 1 August 2016. The album features guest appearances from Wizkid, Olamide, Phyno, Elephant Man, Kwam 1 and Konshens. Production was handled by E Kelly, Sarz, GospelOnDeBeatz, Major Bangz, Dr. Amir, Ball Jay, WizzyPro, Jazzwad, Slick Mo, UC Prof, and Dapiano. The album received a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2017 Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards[1] and peaked at #4 on the BillboardReggae Albums chart.[2]
Patoranking released G.O.E three years after the release of his breakthrough single "Alubarika". He revealed that the album's release was delayed due to his uncertainty about his reach across Nigeria. While an album was ready after the success of "Girlie O", Patoranking wanted to release singles to "get closer to the people" first. The recording process for G.O.E spanned over three years, with the "Stammerer" being recorded four years prior to the album's release. Patoranking worked with various producers and collaborators to ensure the album reflected diverse musical styles and appealed to a wide demographic.[3][4]
G.O.E's only single "No Kissing Baby" featuring Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie was released on 26 June 2016.[5] It was produced by GospelOnDeBeatz, and its music video directed by Daps, premiered shortly after the single's announcement and features a 90s-inspired aesthetic, including graffiti-covered walls, dancehall choreography, and retro fashion elements. The video was set in a playground and includes scenes of Patoranking and Sarkodie performing with backup dancers.[6]
God Over Everything received generally positive reviews from music critics. Joey Akan, reviewing for Pulse Nigeria, said God Over Everything was centered on gratitude and romance, writing that Patoranking "recreates Ajegunle, Konto, and dancehall music" while "polishing and modernizing these sounds" despite "a monotony of themes" and some tracks feeling "rushed"; he concluded that the singer’s releases are "desirably niche" and rated the album 3.5 out of 5.[8] Chuks Kings of tooXclusive described G.O.E as an album about "appreciating the ladies, acknowledging God for what he's achieved and obviously his journey to the top", praising how he "messed around different genres and merged them with his style" rather than making "typical Nigerian secular noisy songs". Concluding that it was "one of my favourite albums to come out of Nigeria", the album received a rating of 3.5/5.[7]
In a review for The NET, Toni Kan called G.O.E an "experimental album" and "a mop of influences" that "gets high marks for standing up to scrutiny" and showed Patoranking was "serious about this business and will be here for a while longer".[10]Jaguda's Ayo Jaguda praised G.O.E for showing Patoranking's journey and versatility, calling it "a good debut" that "will be celebrated for years to come". Noting it "definitely could’ve been a lot better", he awarded it 3 out of 5 stars.[9]Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, reviewing for Music in Africa, characterized G.O.E as a "parlour-ready and family friendly package", praising Patoranking's blend of "patois, pidgin and pop" while noting that the album shifted "the focus of the Nigerian album away from the club"; he concluded, "It is no classic but… it is at least subversive".[11] Chiagoziem Onyekwena, writing for FilterFree Nigeria, described G.O.E as a "solid but unfulfilling and contradictory LP", criticizing its "mixed messaging" and "lack of lyrical depth" while noting that Patoranking "ran out of steam" and "ran out of ideas" on his "oft-delayed debut album".[12]
[7]