Nigerian street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has openly expressed frustration over the amount of money he earns from music streaming platforms, revealing that his monthly income from Apple Music is far lower than he expected.
The controversial singer recently shared his concerns in a video circulating online, where he explained that despite having fans who stream his songs, the revenue he receives from the platform remains very small. According to him, he was told that streams coming from Nigeria generate significantly less revenue compared to streams from countries with higher subscription rates.
Portable said the situation has been troubling for him financially and appealed to veteran music executive Michael Collins Ajereh, widely known as Don Jazzy, to help guide him in navigating the music industry and increasing his earnings.
“I’m in pain. The money Apple Music pays me every month is very small. They say streams from Nigeria don’t generate much revenue. Please help me beg Don Jazzy to guide me and show me the way,” the singer said while speaking about his struggles.
Portable’s appeal quickly sparked conversations online, with many fans and social media users reacting to his comments. Some sympathized with the singer, noting that many artists in Nigeria face similar challenges when it comes to earning substantial income from digital streaming platforms.
Industry observers have often explained that streaming payouts depend on several factors, including subscription prices in different regions, the number of paid users, and the total streams recorded on a platform. In countries where subscription fees are lower or where fewer users have premium accounts, the amount paid per stream is often significantly smaller.
This means that artists whose audience is largely based in countries with lower subscription rates may earn less from streaming even if their music records high numbers locally.
Portable rose to fame in 2021 after releasing the viral street anthem “Zazoo Zeh,” which featured Nigerian rapper Olamide and dancer Poco Lee. The song quickly became a major hit and brought the singer widespread attention across Nigeria and beyond.
Since his breakout moment, Portable has continued releasing music and building a strong following online. However, his career has also been marked by several controversies and outspoken comments that frequently attract public attention.
By calling on Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, Portable appears to be seeking mentorship from one of the most respected figures in the African music industry. Don Jazzy is widely known for helping shape the careers of several successful Afrobeats artists and for his influence in the development of modern Nigerian pop music.
Although Don Jazzy has not publicly responded to the singer’s request, Portable’s comments have reignited discussions about how Nigerian artists can increase their global reach and generate more income from streaming platforms in an increasingly digital music industry.
