Patra Cole is the stage name that is adopted by Alero Greg, a dancehall, raggae, ragga star.
In her early days in the entertainment league, Alero was know as Mummy’s Girl some of her contemporaries in her Ajegunle abode include Oritsefemi, Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, the Mighty Mouse, KC Presh etal.
She has been around for about 19 years. Every Sunday she and the others will gather at an entertainment event centre, RDC, owned by one John Nas(now late). The idea of the gathering being to exhibit and sharpen their skills while wowing the audience with their exhibition. Alero was also a regular face at Sunday Rendezvous held every Sunday at Arts Exclusive situated at Festac Town.
“My father, all these while, was a stumbling block to my dream as he was against my involvement in entertainment. He will always threaten me and infact give me the beating of my life whenever I return from my engagement.
“At a stage I had to relocate to Kaduna to live with one of my uncles who was also into entertainment. Soon I became a regular face on TV performing creditably on different stages.”
Her first track, Carry Waka, produced on Rumours Record Label, got her much acclaim such that her dad was forced to accept her back in his embrace. But she couldn’t do a follow up as the owner of the label died and thus ended the deal of three albums in six years that she signed with the outfit.
Soon she relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in search of the proverbial greener pastures. In Abuja she had a liveband that performed regularly in top hotels and event centres like the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Sheraton Hotel and Grand Mirage.
On what gives her the boost to perform on stage, she said: “I just go there and do my bit. No matter the size of the audience or the caliber of people watching me. I dont have stage fright. What I do is to ensure that I deliver my best such that the audience will have no choice than to applaud me.”
Alero stressed that marriage has not affected her career as her husband understands what show business entails and gives her all the support.
“My husband is my greatest financier and biggest fan. He supports me in whatever I do. On most ocassions he gives me money to go to the studio to produce my songs. Sometimes when I am performing on stage, unknown to many, he will be in the audience cheering me.”
The Benin based act has traversed at least 26 out of the 36 states of the federation and Abuja performing for large audiences. She sees her daughter trying to follow her footsteps to be an entertainer and she promise to give the girl all the support to make her fulfil her dreams.
Discussion about this post