With every mood and emotion you have, there is often some music that meets you right there. But what about its creators? Have we imagined where they were at the point of their musical genius? Ever thought of what Lil Wayne was thinking when he sang “Misunderstood”? Or Portable when he did “Zazoo Zehh”?
Or our very own Ololade mi Asake! When he released his several musical hits like “Lonely at the Top,” “Terminator,” and “Sungba.” Ever thought about what inspired these artists? Could there be some creative allure behind these face tattoos that we do not know about?
Portable and His Not-So-Portable Career
For anyone familiar, you would know that Portable is anything but portable. His far-from-subtle character has often earned him a favorite following among his fans. You might be right if you say Portable’s selling power, beyond his music, is his antics which have seen him tussle with producers, artistes, fans, and even awon ara ilu (the locals) where necessary. Yet his music continues to enjoy a large following.
Portable’s facial tattoos, like his other activities, have also garnered much attention. In October 2022, after a trip to Cyprus, Portable had his facial tattoos professionally done. Not good publicity for the locals back home, you might say.
His facial tattoos include inscriptions of “Zazuu,” “Ika of Africa,” and of course, a coffin! Yeah, a coffin. Who no fear Zazuu no like himself.
Portable released a video to warm—sorry, warn—ladies and gentlemen: “No dey use me dey compare Asake. Mi o foju jo Asake. Lil Wayne ni mo fo ju jo.” (I don’t look like Asake. I look like Lil Wayne)
Portable and Lil Wayne? Wahala for who no look like Lil Wayne oo. Make we balance the comparison whether e make sense.
Lil Wayne’s Feast with the Pantheons of Rap
Lovers of American rap will be very familiar with this one. Weezy F Baby, as he’s fondly called by his fans, loves to “go hard” at everything and his tattoo game is no different with a body full of tattoos, each telling its own story.
Lil Wayne, in an interview, once mentioned: “You know anything about Lil Wayne, Lil Wayne go hard about anything—a woman, anything, rap, rock, singing, skating, I go hard.”
Hmm. Going all hard. Does this remind you of someone? (Portable? Hm?). Perhaps that’s why the Zazuu crooner feels very connected to Lil Wayne. But what do we know about his tattoos?
Lil Wayne’s facial tattoos serve as a profound narrative of his personal and artistic journey. Among his tattoos are the phrases “Fear God” inscribed on his eyelids. Beneath his eyes, teardrop tattoos. Above his right eye, the declaration “I Am Music.” A cross just under his forehead and a crack at the top of his head.
Asake: The Table Shaker
Asake, aka Mr. Money, has been shaking tables in the Naija music scene with his unique blend of Afrobeats and street vibes. From his early days hustling in Lagos to dropping hits like “Omo Ope” and “Sungba,” this Omo Ologo has consistently delivered jams that keep fans on their feet. His energetic performances and distinct style have set him apart, making him a force to reckon with in the industry. Whether it’s his catchy lyrics or his signature fashion sense, Asake knows how to keep the streets talking and the clubs rocking.
Asake has recently added some fresh ink to his face, sparking plenty of chatter among fans. His new tattoos feature dollar signs and the word “Believe,” reflecting his hustle mentality and unwavering faith in his craft. While some fans are hyped about his bold expression, others are raising eyebrows, wondering if he’s taking things too far. Meanwhile, his new tattoos are what have led to the ongoing comparison between him and Portable.
As of now, Asake has not publicly commented on these comparisons. His focus appears to remain on his music and artistic expression, allowing fans and the public to interpret his new look independently.
Well, what we do know is that all three artists got their facial tattoos after their remarkable rise to fame, and not before. So this appears to be some post-apocalyptic feature of rap fame? Or is it just what happens just before the second phase of an even greater rise to fame? Perhaps Asake intends to unleash the full grandeur of his creative talent enough to feed many generations of music lovers! Na to dey count scores remain.
In the same video that has stirred the current controversy, Portable is seen saying “e don tey wey dem spoil my face.” Does this put Portable out of the infamous battle of the face tats?
So who pulled it off better? Portable, Lil Wayne, or Asake? And are you thinking about getting a facial tattoo yourself?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation!