Before December 2021, very few Nigerians had heard of Habeeb Okikiola. Today, the name Portable is almost impossible to ignore.
Love him or criticize him, Portable remains one of the fastest-rising and most controversial Nigerian artists in recent years.
Hereās how a street singer from Ogun State went from obscurity to national headlines in a matter of weeks.
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From Street Hustle to āZazu Zehā Fame
Portableās breakthrough came with the release of his street anthem Zazu Zeh on December 14, 2021.
The song quickly gained momentum online, eventually amassing millions of views on YouTube and becoming widely streamed across digital platforms.
But the real turning point happened when Nigerian rapper Olamide took interest in the track after it was reposted by blogger Don Blue. Portable later rushed to Lekki to meet Olamide, and a collaboration followed.
With Olamide and popular dancer Poco Lee featured on the song, āZazu Zehā exploded nationwide.
Within days, Portable was sharing the stage with Tiwa Savage at the Livespot X concert.
Overnight, he became a household name.
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Grass-to-Grace Background
Born in Ogun State, Portable grew up in Abeokuta before relocating to Sango-Ota.
His rise fits the classic āgrass-to-graceā narrative, a street artist whose raw style and unfiltered personality resonated with fans.
Many Nigerians compared his energetic stage presence to veteran rapper Terry G, with some even arguing Portable brought even more chaos and energy to live performances.
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The Poco Lee Fallout
However, fame came with immediate drama.
Shortly after āZazu Zehā went viral, Portable accused Poco Lee of withholding money allegedly sprayed on him by Wizkid during a performance.
Portable claimed he received only $600, while $2,400 was unaccounted for.
The videos went viral.
The industry reacted.
His then-manager, Kogbagidi, distanced himself.
Portable later apologized, but the damage had already made headlines.
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Sacking His Team
Not long after, Portable publicly sacked his manager, DJ, and promoter, accusing them of blocking his progress and limiting access to influential people.
This move further cemented his image as unpredictable and difficult to manage.
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Royal Visits & International Moves
Despite the controversies, his fame continued to grow.
Businessman E-Money publicly gifted him money.
He visited the Ooni of Ife's palace, Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
He was spotted alongside industry heavyweights like Burna Boy, Timaya, and Wizkid.
He also announced a United Kingdom tour covering cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
For someone unknown months earlier, the transformation was dramatic.
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Controversies Keep Following
Portableās career has rarely gone a week without drama:
ā¢ Public fights at shows
ā¢ Clashes with DJs
ā¢ Alleged resistance during police encounters
ā¢ Social media outbursts
ā¢ Statements that sparked backlash
At one point, he claimed spiritual forces tampered with his car after surviving an accident involving his newly acquired Range Rover.
He also stirred online debates over comments about women and discussions about his personal life, revealing he has children from different mothers.
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Talent or Turbulence?
Many observers argue that Portableās personality drives more attention than his discography.
While āZazu Zehā remains his biggest hit, his stage energy, chaotic interviews, and constant headlines often overshadow his newer releases.
Yet, one fact remains undeniable:
Portable mastered attention.
Whether through music, controversy, or unpredictability, he has kept himself in public conversation since December 2021.
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Final Thoughts
Portableās rise shows how quickly fame can be achieved in the digital era.
But it also raises a bigger question:
Can controversy sustain a long-term music career?
Or does constant turbulence eventually overshadow talent?
Reciept
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/ente...ernight-celebrity-his-many-controversies.html
