Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable; and self-styled activist, Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), have continued to attack each other with songs, in which they are washing their dirty linen in public glare.
What started as a simple online disagreement has now led to both men digging into each other’s pasts, flinging accusations, and battling for dominance in the hearts of fans and netizens.
Although the duo has never been friends, the recent feud started when Portable posted a video calling out VDM for constantly lambasting President Bola Tinubu over the country’s economic problems. He also claimed that the latter was allegedly using the late Mohbad’s tragic death to gain attention.
In response, VDM fired back with a diss track titled ‘Ole”, meaning “Thief.” In the song, he referenced Portable’s past allegations of stealing a tricycle and phones, and how he was arrested by the police.
In another video, VDM announced that he had recorded a seven-track EP while releasing a second diss track. In the video, he again called Portable a thief and advised people to hustle hard to avoid resorting to stealing tricycles (keke).
To add to the drama, VDM introduced a custom dance move to accompany the diss song, while showing an old video showing Portable being mobbed and beaten after allegedly stealing a phone and tricycle.
Not one to shy away from confrontation, Portable, who has become quite prolific at recording diss songs during conflicts, exploded with anger over how fans were engaging with the track. He later came out swinging with his own diss track titled “VDM Oromadiye.” In it, he claimed VDM’s mother was a prostitute, while mocking his humble background. He also claimed that he was framed up, and never actually stole.
In a video, he stated that the alleged theft happened in 2020, but that his career had since blossomed.
He added, “All of you calling me a thief, your children will suffer. Emefiele stole money and was not beaten; Yahaya Bello stole money and was not jailed. But I am being called a thief. Everyone is a thief; only the person caught is labelled one.”
He also claimed that VDM’s attacks were because he openly supported President. He then called on the president’s son, Seyi, the EFCC, and the police to arrest VDM, stating that he had filed a petition against him.
The feud escalated further after VDM released what he described as the third and final diss track, titled “Zazoo ft All My Gees.”
In the song, VDM repeated his earlier allegation that Portable was a thief, describing him as “dirty and smelly”. He also boasted that he and his fan base— The Ratels— controlled social media as the “fourth arm of government.”
An accompanying music video was shot on the streets featuring some youth, okada and tricycle drivers, dancing with choreographed moves. The caption read, “After this, I will leave him alone since he is already crying.”
On his part, Portable responded in an entirely different manner. In a viral clip, the singer was seen performing what appeared to be a ritual. He held a horn-like object wrapped in red cloth, praying first for wealth and blessings, then invoking curses.
He said, “Let the spirit bless those who love me, but may madness and suffering follow anyone calling me a thief. It will not be well with those who hate me.”
The singer went on to make offerings of a live chicken, kola nuts, and gin.
As neither VDM nor Portable ready to pipe down, the fans seem to be enjoying the entertainment the “beef” is creating.
- Punch
