Portable Slams Nigerian Artistes, Asserting Grammy Win Unlikely Without Afro’s Success

Singer Portable subtly criticizes his colleagues, including Asake, and other Nigerian artists who were not acknowledged at the Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday. These artists missed out in the Best African Music Performance category, losing to South Africa’s Tyla with her song “Water.” Asake and Olamide were nominated for their hit track “Amapiano.” Although Portable did not explicitly name anyone, his comments appeared to target Asake, known for incorporating Amapiano beats into Nigerian music.

Notably, about two weeks earlier, Portable posted a video where he appeared to mock Asake, stating, “lonely at the top.”

In the recent viral video, he remarked, “Make una too promote Afro, when Afro blows, you will also win Grammy.”

He suggested that artistes should return to Afro and brand themselves as ‘Afronation.’

Portable also emphasized that if Afro-music does not gain widespread recognition, Nigerian artistes cannot win Grammy Awards.

He pointed out that South Africans have achieved this feat, urging Nigerian artistes to focus on their sound rather than imitating others.

This video surfaced just two days after Nigerian Grammy award nominees Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, and Ayra Starr failed to secure a Grammy Award.

Portable concluded his remarks by stating, “Ti Afro o ba blow, e o le gba Graand mmy,” which translates to “If Afro music does not gain recognition, you cannot win a Grammy Award.”