Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, has launched a fiery tirade against veteran Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, for allegedly taking down his song from streaming platforms over copyright infringement.

In a viral video shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Portable vented his frustration at Osupa, accusing the Fuji legend of attempting to stifle his progress by reporting his song for using a line from Osupa’s music.

The incident has reportedly led to the removal of Portable’s song from popular streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Saheed Osupa, along with his distributors, filed complaints that resulted in the song’s takedown.

However, Portable wasn’t having it and made his dissatisfaction very clear, calling Osupa a “big for nothing fellow” and questioning his refusal to support his career.

“Saheed Osupa, you are big for nothing. If you can’t embrace me, I will drag you. You sing Fuji while I sing hip hop. The same way I used a line from your music is the same way I removed three verses from Pasuma. But Pasuma never reported my song. Keep your distance if you can’t embrace me like the way Pasuma adopted me like his own child. Osupa is a good man.”

Opinion: Artistry or Copyright Breach?

The Portable-Osupa saga raises a familiar yet complex question in the music industry: Where should the line be drawn between artistic inspiration and copyright infringement?

While it’s understandable for artists to want to protect their intellectual property, Portable’s frustration seems to stem from a lack of recognition and collaboration from older artists. His comparison of Osupa’s reaction to that of fellow Fuji musician, Pasuma, hints at a broader industry culture where some established artists are more open to collaboration than others.

Portable’s boldness in calling out Saheed Osupa publicly might come across as disrespectful to some, but to others, it is seen as a passionate plea for recognition and mentorship. The younger artist appears to be craving acceptance and support from the very people he looks up to.

However, the copyright claim by Osupa also highlights the importance of respecting creative rights. Using another artist’s lyrics without permission can be legally problematic, regardless of the level of admiration involved.

At the heart of the issue is a generational divide where younger musicians feel neglected or targeted by the veterans. Whether Portable’s rant will force a conversation about better mentorship or cause even more friction remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: Portable has once again managed to stir public interest and ignite conversation around the evolving dynamics of the Nigerian music industry.