Portable’s Fame, "Wahala" and Rebirth: The Story of Zeh Nation Boss

• Internationally recognised singer Portable has remained relevant in the Nigerian music industry despite numerous controversies
• He has faced several hurdles and displayed acts of rascality that earned him the label of the king of bizarre antics among Nigerian musicians
• In this article, Legit.ng highlights Portable’s rise to fame, his controversies, and how he has managed to stay in the spotlight

Like him or hate him, Habeeb Olalomi Badmus, better known as Portable, has remained in the spotlight of Nigerian music lovers and stayed relevant since his emergence in 2016 with his debut song, Loneliness of the Long.

He began his professional music career shortly after finishing secondary school, honing his craft through street performances.

Born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and later moved to Sango. Even after gaining fame, Portable has continued to live in the same area while building his business empire, which includes his Odogwu bar, an uncompleted guest house, his residential home, and other properties.

In this article, Legit.ng examines how Portable rose to fame, his many controversies, and how he has managed to stay relevant with his nonconformist personality.

From street to spotlight: Portable's rise to fame

Though Portable began his music career in 2016, he wasn't widely known until 2021 when luck smiled upon him with the release of Zazu Zeh.

The track featured the king of street pop and Yoruba indigenous rapper Olamide Adedeji, also known as Badoo, and dancer-turned-event promoter Iweh Pascal Odinaka, better known as Poco Lee.

Zazu Zeh became an instant sensation across clubs, campuses, and street corners. The high-energy anthem quickly gained popularity, garnering 6.6 million views on YouTube, while ranking among the most-streamed songs on Spotify, the global audio platform. Zazu Zeh introduced Portable as the new face of street hop.

With this newfound fame, Portable had the opportunity to share a stage with Tiwa Savage at the Livespot X concert on Friday, December 17, 2021. He also made his international debut, thanks to a collaboration with British-Nigerian rapper Joseph Junior Adenuga, better known as Skepta. When Skepta heard that Portable was in Newcastle, UK, he called him for a collaboration, which led to the creation of Tony Montana. This musical collaboration changed Portable's life, and he continues to brag about it at events. He doesn't hesitate to speak about Skepta's influence on his career.

Portable’s culture of “wahala” and controversy

Portable is two sides of a coin: he’s not just famous, but also a walking controversy. The Zeh Nation boss has used his personality to his advantage, embracing chaos as his brand. From public fights with fellow artists to outrageous interviews, Portable’s antics ensured his name remained in the headlines.

While some dismissed him as a reckless entertainer, others celebrated him as a fearless truth-teller who voiced what many were too cautious to say.

For the music star, controversy became fuel to stay relevant. However, his perceived erratic behaviour strained relationships with colleagues and industry insiders, with critics predicting his downfall. To the dismay of many, Portable has remained a relevant figure in the industry.

His first major feud occurred shortly after his rise to fame in 2021. Just weeks after his performance at the Livespot X Festival show, he called out Pocolee for allegedly stealing money given to him by Wizkid during his performance at the event.

In a series of viral videos, Portable claimed he was given $600, while Poco Lee allegedly made off with the remaining $2,400.

From there, Portable’s controversies escalated. He was seen fighting with a clergy member near his Odogwu bar, and later, he had an altercation in Ikeja after his chain was snatched from him in broad daylight. He exchanged blows to retrieve his prized possession.

Portable also landed in a police cell after he and his crew allegedly assaulted Ogun state government officials. Declared wanted, he eventually appeared before the police, was detained, and later charged in court.

Further fueling the drama, Portable came under fire for allegedly disrespecting his senior colleague Saheed Osupa by calling him a “big-for-nothing fellow.”

Osupa’s diss track went viral, and many feared that this call-out would end Portable's career. Despite plans to sue him for defamation and cyberstalking, Osupa later forgave Portable, and the issue was amicably resolved.

Rebirth of a street icon after controversy

Amidst his chaos and controversy, Portable decided to have a rebirth, especially after being declared wanted by the Ogun state government. He overhauled his management and promised to turn over a new leaf. He reduced the frequency of his controversial videos and began showcasing himself as a responsible family man.

Portable flaunted his many investments and shared moments with his children, offering advice to his fans. Portable was also seen in more videos with his baby mama, Ashabi Bimpe, and his wife, Omobewaji. His actions hinted at maturity, as he mixed chaos with responsibility.

Portable as a content provider

Though not a professional content creator, Portable has continued to provide content for his fans on social media. His performances at events are often full of energy and dramatic stunts, such as climbing poles or tables to entertain his audience. At one point, he even performed on water and was brought on stage at an event in a coffin.

In an attempt to remain relevant and create attention, Portable has also been seen praying and offering sacrifices at different shrines. He has visited churches and mosques, offering prayers and alms, further blurring the lines between his persona and his public actions.

Portable’s numerous diss tracks

Amid the drama, Portable continues to capitalise on the situation, releasing diss tracks targeting his opponents. In 2024, he dissed Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, in his track Brotherhood. Portable dragged the crossdresser for receiving an award as a lady.

Other targets of his diss tracks have included Martins Vincent Otse (aka Verydarkman), Laide Bakare, Wasiu Ayinde Barrister during the ValueJet saga, Peller, Lege Miami, and several others, all of whom have been involved in feuds with the music star.

Portable advises Bobrisky over lifestyle

Legit.ng earlier reported that Portable reacted to the ongoing saga surrounding crossdresser Bobrisky as he composed a new song for him.

In the recording, he was in his white garment, also known as sutana, when he started singing and asking Bobrisky to repent. He also used a song to drive home his message to the crossdresser.

He also asked the crossdresser not to end it all, as he had earlier threatened after he deleted all his posts. Portable added that if Bobriskly should end it all, he was going straight to hell because of his lifestyle.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng