Nigerian street pop sensation Portable is expanding his vision as a record label boss by signing a fresh batch of artists under his imprint, Zeh Nation.
In a move that underscores his commitment to nurturing new talent, Portable took to Instagram to introduce his latest proteges. Among the new signees is a young rapper named Gospel Kanu, who has chosen the moniker Young Odumodu—a clear homage to award-winning rapper OdumoduBlvck.
In the unveiling video, the aspiring rapper delivered hard-hitting lines reminiscent of his musical inspiration, drawing immediate comparisons to some of Nigeria’s top lyricists. Portable, beaming with pride, declared, “Zeh Nation no dey carry last! We go turn boys to men, stars to superstars!”—a bold proclamation of his intent to shape these young artists into industry heavyweights.
The introduction of Young Odumodu quickly caught the attention of his namesake, OdumoduBlvck, who reacted warmly to the rising talent. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, the rap star simply posted “Zeh Nation”, signaling his acknowledgment of the young artist and possibly his approval of the name.
The recognition from an established star could serve as a major boost for Young Odumodu, who now carries the weight of expectation on his shoulders. In response to the recognition, Portable excitedly reposted OdumoduBlvck’s message, further fueling speculation that a collaboration might be on the horizon.
“We dey run am for street, industry go still collect!” Portable added, emphasizing his street credibility and his mission to shake up the mainstream music scene with his raw, unfiltered style.
Despite his ambition to become a successful label boss, Portable’s history as a mentor has been far from smooth. His last widely publicized mentorship ended in controversy when his former signee, Young Duu, exited Zeh Nation under acrimonious circumstances.
Young Duu later accused Portable of maltreatment, claiming he was unfairly treated and not given the freedom to grow under the label. Addressing the fallout, Portable dismissed the allegations, saying, “No be everybody wey I help go remain loyal. I dey raise stars, no be to dey babysit them.”
While the rift with Young Duu remains unresolved, it has not deterred Portable from pressing forward with his label ambitions.
Portable’s latest artist announcement coincides with his recent legal troubles, which saw him in a standoff with the Ogun State Police. The singer was declared wanted after allegedly assaulting government officials, a case that made headlines across the country.
However, after turning himself in and securing bail, Portable vowed to stay out of trouble and focus on his music. “I no go fight again, na only music I wan use scatter everywhere now,” he promised in a social media post following his release.
Fans and critics alike are watching closely to see if the singer can truly embrace a new chapter centered on his craft rather than controversy.
In addition to unveiling new talent, Portable has also been teasing his upcoming EP, Ogo Most Wanted, a project he claims will cement his place as one of the most influential street pop artists in Nigeria.
He has hinted that the project will feature some of his new signees, potentially giving Young Odumodu his first major platform. “Dem go hear am! Zeh Nation dey come with fire,” he declared, suggesting that his label’s new era will be marked by aggressive expansion and consistent releases.
Given Portable’s knack for keeping fans entertained—whether through music or drama—the anticipation surrounding his next moves is palpable.
With the spotlight now on Zeh Nation’s latest recruits, listeners are eager to hear what the new signees bring to the table. Young Odumodu, in particular, carries the weight of being Portable’s flagship artist, a position that comes with both pressure and opportunity.
As the music industry watches, it remains to be seen whether Portable’s new protégés will rise to fame or face the same fate as previous signees.
For now, the self-proclaimed wahala musician is embracing his role as a label boss, determined to leave his mark. As he put it, “Street go always collect, Zeh Nation no go ever gree!”
