Portable claims he has assisted more people than Olamide, Don Jazzy, and Wizkid
Controversial street pop singer touts own influence in music industry
Controversial Nigerian street-hop artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has generated a new wave of drama with a bold claim about his influence within the Nigerian music industry.
The self-styled Zazu crooner asserted that he has personally assisted more people in the music business than prominent industry heavyweights, including Olamide, Don Jazzy, and Wizkid. This audacious comparison places him directly at odds with some of the most respected and successful music executives and artists in Afrobeats history.
Portable’s declaration is the latest in a series of controversial public statements aimed at generating conversation around his impact and relevance. His claim challenges the established narrative of patronage and talent development commonly attributed to industry titans like the YBNL boss, Olamide, and the Mavin Records CEO, Don Jazzy. He did not provide a detailed list or specific names of individuals he has helped, but his broad claim is intended to emphasize his perceived widespread grassroots impact.
History of tension with mentor olamide resurfaces
This statement comes amid Portable’s long-standing, often turbulent relationship with his former collaborator, Olamide Adedeji. Portable received his massive career breakthrough following the success of the 2021 hit song “ZaZoo Zeh,” which featured Olamide and dancer Poco Lee. However, the controversial singer has recently reignited his grievances with Olamide.
Portable has publicly questioned why he was not invited to perform at Olamide’s recent OVO Wembley Arena show in London, despite the success of their joint track. He has previously claimed that Olamide’s international visibility is linked to their collaboration and that the rapper has since refused to acknowledge or reply to his messages. Portable had warned Olamide to reply to him so he would not “regret it in the future,” demonstrating an ongoing sense of betrayal.
Singer demands recognition despite previous claims
The singer has consistently tried to redefine the narrative surrounding his sudden fame and career trajectory. In a previous live session, Portable stated that while Olamide was indeed his “helper,” the rapper did not actually make him famous. He insisted he was already famous before Olamide’s feature, emphasizing the distinction between receiving support and being entirely created by it.
Portable has continued to demand more recognition and support, arguing that his contributions to the street music scene are often overlooked by the mainstream industry. His current claim of having assisted more people than other major executives serves as an indirect form of attack on the credibility and influence of these established figures. The singer appears to measure impact not just through formal record labels but through grassroots empowerment and informal assistance within his network.
Olamide and don jazzy’s track records of talent development
Portable’s claims stand in stark contrast to the well-documented track records of talent discovery and development by both Olamide and Don Jazzy. Olamide, through his YBNL Nation imprint, has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous successful artists and producers. His list of successful protégés includes names like Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy DML, and Asake, among many others.
Similarly, Don Jazzy, through Mavin Records (and previously Mo’Hits), is widely regarded as an unparalleled executive in talent management. Mavin Records is responsible for shaping the careers of superstars like Tiwa Savage, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Rema, and Ayra Starr. The claim by Portable, who operates mostly outside of the formal label system, therefore directly challenges the foundational infrastructure built by these established executives.
Olamide currently focused on self-prioritization
Adding further context to the situation, Olamide Baddo recently revealed in an interview that he is currently focused on a phase of “self-prioritization.” The YBNL boss stated that for most of his career, he had focused on assisting others while also pushing his own music career forward. He noted that he is now fully committed to his own well-being and self-development.
This shift in focus by Olamide suggests he is stepping back from the intense role of a music industry gatekeeper and mentor to concentrate on his personal artistry. Portable’s claims, however, continue to place undue pressure on Olamide to maintain a mentoring role and respond to his public demands. The ongoing back-and-forth illustrates the high expectations placed on successful Nigerian artists to continually uplift new talent in the rapidly evolving music landscape.
