Portable Criticizes Olamide Over Alleged Blacklisting Scheme

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has taken to social media to accuse Olamide of attempting to “blacklist” him from the music industry.

The situation reportedly began on Monday when content creator Tunde Perry mentioned that during a meeting with industry stakeholders and international promoters, Portable’s behavior was a significant topic of discussion.

According to Perry, the general opinion was that the singer’s unpredictable behavior is having a negative impact on opportunities for other emerging artists. He claimed that Olamide, known for supporting and mentoring young talent, has become more hesitant to provide guidance after his experiences with Portable.

“Portable has affected a lot of upcoming artists. Yesterday, I was in the midst of a tight circle involving industry moguls and international promoters, and Portable’s situation was what they discussed,”

Perry said.

“Olamide is kind and willing to help people, but Portable has blocked that access for talented singers from challenging backgrounds.”

In response via Instagram, Portable rejected the notion that any group of executives could control his career. He asserted that his success is driven by his fanbase rather than industry endorsements and cautioned against using past collaborations as leverage.

“I am bigger than them. Who are those who want to blacklist? I heard that Tunde Perry said Olamide and his circle of music executives called for me to be blacklisted. Are you my fans or my God? Are you feeding me?” he asked.

“I have my own fans. I am bigger than any person. Anyone who wants to help you won’t stress you. Don’t use the assistance you gave me in the past to stress me. Are you the only one who has ever assisted me?

“There are a lot of people who helped me without stressing me. Why would you say they shouldn’t play my songs again? Olamide, don’t mess with me. If you mess with me, I will return the energy. Stay on your own lane.”

Portable also highlighted that his popularity is entirely driven by his fans and not from collaborations with Olamide.

“Did they tell you that Olamide Bado signed me for YBNL? My fans brought me here, not them. We only did a song together; they did not make me famous,”

he wrote.

“The street belongs to me, Portable Omolalomi. For 20 years, my music has been popular on the street, even before Dagrin passed away, so to say Olamide Bado helped me is misleading. He only featured on my popular song, and we shared money and fame; he didn’t buy me a house or a car. I am the CEO of my own label, Zeh Nation.”

This is not the first time Portable has publicly clashed with Olamide. The singer, who gained recognition with his 2021 hit “Zazoo Zeh,” a collaboration with Olamide and dancer Poco Lee, previously accused his former collaborators of cheating him and withdrawing support after he asserted his rights. He has also claimed that Olamide “will regret not signing me” to his label.

Portable’s latest comments have once again sparked discussions around loyalty, mentorship, and power dynamics in Nigeria’s music industry.