Portable streaming revenue concerns grow as singer appeals to Don Jazzy for help in boosting earnings from Apple Music and global streams
Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has expressed frustration over what he described as alarmingly low earnings from digital music streaming platforms despite releasing songs regularly.
Also read: Portable praises pregnant wife Bewaji in heartwarming video
Portable, in a recent video broadcast, said his streaming revenue from Apple Music remains disappointing, even though he drops new music almost every month and claims to have a growing international fan base.
The singer questioned why his foreign streams have not translated into significant income, amid widespread claims that local streams in Nigeria generate lower returns compared to those from Western markets.
“I am in pain. I have been putting my songs on Apple Music every month but the money I am generating is too low,” he said.
Portable directly appealed to leading music executive Don Jazzy, seeking guidance on how to improve his earnings from streaming platforms.
“They said it is because Nigerian streams are cheap, but I also have fans in America and all over the world. Where is the revenue from those foreign streams?” he asked.
The Zazu crooner added that his earnings are fragmented across multiple channels, further reducing what he receives.
“Don Jazzy, please help me and teach me how to generate more money from music streams. The revenue I receive is very low. They divide my earnings into 17,” he said.
In a bold remark reflecting both ambition and frustration, Portable said mastering streaming revenue strategies could elevate his career significantly.
“If Don Jazzy teaches me how to generate more money from streaming platforms, I would be bigger than all artistes in Nigeria,” he added.
Also read: Portable detains Carter Efe and Kolu in Sango bar clash
The comments highlight ongoing concerns among Nigerian artistes about the structure of digital streaming payouts, particularly in emerging markets where monetisation remains uneven despite global reach.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
