Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, is a Nigerian street-hop artist who rose to massive fame in late 2021 with his hit song “Zazu Zeh

• Olamide, a highly respected veteran in the Nigerian music industry and the founder of YBNL Nation, signed Portable to his label and featured on the “Zazu Zeh” remix, which was instrumental in propelling the song to a global audience.

Portable’s claim that he made Olamide internationally recognized with “Zazzo” (his pronunciation of “Zazu”) is a classic example of his controversial and often outlandish style of public speaking

The statement is factually incorrect. Olamide was already an internationally recognized artist for over a decade before “Zazu Zeh” was released.

Here’s a breakdown of Olamide’s established career pre-“Zazu Zeh”:

Olamide debuted around 2010. By the time Portable came along, he had been a dominant force in African music for more than 10 years.

1. Major Hit Records: He had numerous chart-topping songs that were hits not just in Nigeria but across Africa and in the diaspora (UK, US, Europe). Classics include:
   • “Eni Duro” (2010)
   • “First of All” (2012)
   • “Bobo” (2015) – This was a continental smash hit.
   • “Wo!” and “Science Student” (2017) – These songs had massive global reach and even faced minor bans in Nigeria for their lyrical content, which only increased their international notoriety.
2. International Collaborations: Olamide had collaborated with internationally known artists long before meeting Portable. For example, his song “Skelemba” featured Ghanaian star R2Bees, and he worked with Nigerian-American star Wale on the song “Make Us Proud.”
3. International Tours and Shows: Olamide has been touring the world for years, selling out venues in the UK, US, Canada, and across Europe. He was a regular headliner at major African music festivals globally.
4. The “Godfather” Role: Olamide’s primary international reputation was built as a legendary talent scout and label executive. He is credited with launching the careers of several superstars who have achieved massive international success on their own, such as:
   • Adekunle Gold
   • Lil Kesh
   • Fireboy DML (who has had songs with international stars like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran)
   • Asake (who has sold out the O2 Arena in London and has a global following)

Why Would Portable Make Such a Claim?

While factually wrong, understanding Portable’s perspective helps explain the statement:

1. Exaggeration and Hype: It’s part of his brand. Portable is known for making outrageous claims to stay in the news and build his “street credibility.”
2. Misunderstanding Impact: From Portable’s viewpoint, “Zazu Zeh” was a cultural reset. It brought Olamide onto a new wave of viral, TikTok-driven fame that might have felt “international” to him. He may genuinely believe his raw energy introduced Olamide to a new, younger global audience, and he exaggerated this into “making him international.”
3. Asserting Independence: Such statements can be a clumsy attempt for a younger artist to distance himself from his mentor and establish his own legacy, even if it means disrespecting the person who gave him his big break.