Portable has blasted Bella Shmurda for saying he wouldn’t collaborate with him.
He mocked Bella’s music career and claimed they are not on the same level.
Controversial street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has lashed out at fellow Afrobeats artist Bella Shmurda over remarks made during a recent podcast, where Bella explained why he wouldn’t consider collaborating with the Zazu hitmaker.
Bella Shmurda was a guest on the popular podcast “Curiosity Made Me Ask”, hosted by skit maker Isbae U. During the show, the conversation took a turn towards potential musical collaborations. When asked if he would consider working with Portable, Bella responded candidly, saying he didn’t see how their music styles aligned and stressed that he didn’t want any form of trouble.
“I don’t think we connect musically. I’m on a different vibe, and honestly, I just want peace. No issues,” Bella said.
While the singer didn’t outrightly disrespect Portable, his choice of words seemed to suggest a deliberate distance from the drama that typically trails the self-styled “wahala musician.” However, the response clearly didn’t sit well with Portable, who wasted no time clapping back on social media in his signature unfiltered style.
In a fiery video shared online, Portable berated Bella Shmurda, saying he had no right to mention his name in interviews if he wasn’t going to show respect.
“Anytime you wan do interview, no call my name. You cannot feature me. I’ve been to America, I’ve been to London. No be first to blow o, na who dey blow dey go,” Portable began, in a mix of English and Pidgin.
The singer went on to mock Bella’s musical relevance, implying that while Bella may have once had momentum, he has since fallen off and should not be considered in the same league with him.
“Which connection wan join me and you? You are a failure. I no dey roll with failure. I don do music with people wey blow. I no need person wey dey find relevance through my name,” Portable said, visibly irritated.
Portable, who is known for his dramatic social media outbursts, has built a brand around confrontation and unpredictability. From industry beefs to run-ins with law enforcement, the singer has continued to stay in the spotlight, sometimes more for controversy than for his music. Still, his popularity among grassroots fans and street music lovers remains strong.
In the same video, Portable emphasized his international exposure, insisting that his reach and recognition surpass that of Bella Shmurda.
“I no be your mate for this industry. Me, I dey perform for UK, America, dey tour, dey do shows. How many shows you dey do? You dey find song wey go blow you. Me, I dey drop hit anyhow,” he said.
The fallout between the two artists has now become a trending topic on Nigerian social media, with fans and followers picking sides and reacting with memes.
Bella Shmurda, born Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, first broke into the mainstream music scene with his breakout single “Vision 2020” and became widely known following his collaborations with Olamide and other A-list artists. He is often celebrated for his conscious lyrics and more melodic approach to Afrobeat and street music.
Portable, on the other hand, gained national attention with the viral street anthem “Zazu Zeh” featuring Olamide and Poco Lee. Since then, he has ridden the wave of street credibility, raw energy, and constant controversy, dropping multiple singles and music videos, and earning a large following.
Despite the controversy, the tension between both artists may not translate into any actual feud beyond social media. Still, it underscores a recurring theme in the Nigerian music industry artists drawing battle lines over style, success, and relevance.
As of now, Bella Shmurda has not responded to Portable’s rants, choosing instead to remain silent, perhaps in line with his original statement about wanting peace and avoiding drama.
Watch the video below:
