Nigerian singer Portable has once again ignited controversy by labeling fellow musicians Zlatan and Runtown as “upcoming artists” while also taking a swipe at the current state of Afrobeats.
Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, made the provocative statements during an interview on Echo Room, where he argued that Zlatan lacks mainstream recognition among wealthy individuals, which, in his view, diminishes his status in the music industry.
“Zlatan is an up-and-coming artist,” Portable claimed. “A big man told me, ‘Who is Zlatan? I just started hearing about him.’ If the rich don’t know you, are you really a superstar?”
He further criticized Zlatan’s musical approach, suggesting that his lyrics lack depth and that he has failed to evolve with the industry. Portable, never one to shy away from self-promotion, claimed his own music resonates more with the streets and should be acknowledged as the real sound of Nigeria.
In another segment of the interview, Portable addressed TikTok sensation Peller’s comments about Runtown being an “upcoming artist.” While he partially disagreed, he still questioned Runtown’s career trajectory.
“I don’t support Peller, but I also don’t support Runtown. Why is he not dropping hits anymore? The game is not waiting for anyone,” Portable stated. “Tell him to collaborate with me, and he’ll be back on top.”
However, Portable didn’t stop at individual artists. He went on to critique the Afrobeats genre, arguing that the industry has become too focused on international appeal rather than staying true to its local roots. According to him, many mainstream artists are selling out by making “watered-down” music that doesn’t truly represent the struggles of the people.
“Afrobeats is losing its essence. Too many artists are chasing Grammys and foreign validation instead of making music for the real fans—the streets. I keep it real, and that’s why my sound will never die,” Portable added.
His comments have sparked a storm on social media, with some dismissing his statements as mere clout-chasing while others agree that Afrobeats may be straying from its foundation. Regardless, one thing is certain: Portable knows how to keep people talking.