Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, widely known as Portable, has fired back at allegations that influential figures in the country’s music industry have placed him on a blacklist.
The controversy was ignited by popular influencer Tunde Perry, who claimed to have been present at a meeting where top music executives allegedly moved to blacklist Portable over repeated instances of misconduct.
Perry further alleged that Portable’s disruptive behavior had not only landed him in the bad books of industry heavyweights but had also made it harder for emerging artists to receive support from established figures.
According to Perry, renowned rapper and executive Olamide has grown wary of championing new talent following his experience with Portable, who reportedly turned on him after Olamide featured him on the breakout hit “Zazu.”
In response, Portable took to video to lash out at Tunde Perry, Olamide, and the executives allegedly behind the blacklisting. He defiantly declared that he does not need the backing of any industry figure, insisting that his fanbase alone is sufficient for his success.
He also boldly asserted that he now carries more weight in the industry than those who sought to sideline him.
In his words: “I am bigger than them. Who are those who want to blacklist? I heard that Tunde Perry said Olamide and his circle called for me to be blacklisted. Are you my fans or my God? Are you feeding me? I have my own fans. Anyone who wants to help you won’t stress you. Don’t use the assistance you gave me in the past to stress me. There are a lot of people who helped me without stressing me. Olamide, don’t mess with me. If you do, I will return the energy. Stay in your own lane.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Portable’s fallout with the Nigerian music industry serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of gratitude and professional conduct.
Despite receiving a career-defining boost from Olamide, his ungrateful and disruptive behavior has allegedly turned powerful industry figures against him—and worse, made it harder for other emerging artists to get the support they need.
While Portable remains defiant, the bigger concern here is how one artist’s misconduct can have a ripple effect, penalizing others who had nothing to do with it.
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