Controversial Nigerian street-pop artist Portable has once again pushed cultural boundaries, appearing in a new viral video wearing his wife Bewaji’s clothing while performing seductive dance moves. The unexpected gender-bending performance has triggered reactions from celebrities and fans alike, with many expressing amusement at the singer’s latest antics.
The video, shared on Portable’s Instagram account, features the “Zazoo Zeh” hitmaker draped in an elegant black and gold ensemble apparently borrowed from his wife’s wardrobe. Throughout the clip, Portable deliberately adopts exaggerated feminine mannerisms and dance moves, further blurring gender expectations that typically define Nigeria’s conservative entertainment landscape.
This latest stunt represents an escalation of the singer’s recent experimentation with crossdressing. Just a day prior, Portable had posted another video showing himself adorned in traditional female attire consisting of a white wrapper, matching top, and headscarf, complemented by a small handbag — a striking departure from his usual street-oriented aesthetic.
Among those reacting to the unconventional display were prominent Nollywood actresses Mercy Aigbe and Destiny Etiko, who responded with laughing emojis in the comment section, signaling either amusement or astonishment at Portable’s dramatic transformation. Their participation in the discourse surrounding the video has amplified its visibility across Nigerian social media.
Fan reactions have been equally noteworthy, with comments ranging from playful teasing to genuine concern about the singer’s evolving public persona. One follower with the username Otunbablog commented, “Them don finally get our street King,” suggesting that Portable’s edgy street credibility might be compromised by his gender-fluid experimentation. Another user, Itsme_otunba, expressed surprise at the revelation that the outfit belonged to his wife, writing, “So na Bewaji get this?
Portable’s latest transformation comes amid a growing conversation about gender expression in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. While crossdressing has existed as a comedic device in Nigerian media for decades, recent years have seen more complex expressions emerging that challenge traditional gender norms more directly.
The singer, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola, has built his brand on unpredictability and controversy since bursting onto the music scene in 2021 with his breakthrough hit “Zazoo Zeh.” His rise to fame has been characterized by numerous public controversies, frequent social media outbursts, and an unfiltered approach to public discourse that has both endeared him to fans and alienated industry gatekeepers.
Cultural commentators note that Portable’s latest gender-bending performance exists within a complex social context. Nigeria remains a deeply conservative society where strict gender roles are often enforced through social pressure, religious institutions, and even legal frameworks. The country’s entertainment industry typically reflects these conservative values, with most male artists embracing hypermasculine personas.
By adopting feminine attire and mannerisms, Portable challenges these established norms, though his motivations remain ambiguous. Some observers suggest his crossdressing may be purely provocative—designed to generate social media engagement rather than make any substantial statement about gender identity. Others see it as part of a broader pattern of boundary-pushing that has characterized his controversial career.
The concept of male celebrities adopting feminine aesthetics is not entirely without precedent in Nigerian entertainment. Comedy skits have long featured male actors in female dress, though typically for comedic effect rather than as genuine expression. However, sustained gender-fluid presentation by mainstream musical artists remains relatively uncommon in the Nigerian context.
Internationally, artists like Young Thug, Kid Cudi, and Harry Styles have attracted both praise and criticism for experimenting with gender-fluid fashion, often wearing traditionally feminine garments as expressions of creative freedom. Portable’s experimentation might be viewed as part of this global trend, though filtered through Nigeria’s unique cultural lens.
Social media reactions to Portable’s video reveal much about contemporary Nigerian attitudes toward gender expression. While many followers responded with humor, others expressed discomfort or confusion. The comment “Hmmm, who changed Omalalomi Cana plug?” from user Heis.bettoboy suggests concern that the artist might be influenced by external forces or substances, reflecting a reluctance to accept that this expression might be a genuine aspect of his artistic identity.
Portable’s wife Bewaji, whose clothes were featured in the video, has not publicly commented on her husband’s use of her attire. The couple’s relationship has frequently made headlines, with Portable openly acknowledging multiple romantic partners while maintaining that Bewaji holds a special status among them.
For Portable, controversy has proven to be a reliable marketing strategy throughout his career. His penchant for outrageous statements, public feuds with fellow artists, and unpredictable behavior has kept him consistently relevant in Nigeria’s fast-moving entertainment industry. This latest gender-bending display fits within that pattern while potentially opening new avenues for artistic expression.
Music industry analysts suggest that Portable’s willingness to experiment with his public image—regardless of potential backlash—demonstrates his understanding of contemporary media dynamics, where engagement often matters more than the sentiment behind it. By consistently generating conversation, he maintains cultural relevance in a crowded musical landscape.
As Nigerian society continues negotiating changing global attitudes toward gender expression, performances like Portable’s serve as cultural flashpoints that reveal underlying tensions and evolving perspectives. Whether intended as provocative entertainment or genuine self-expression, his gender-fluid experimentation challenges viewers to examine their own assumptions about masculinity in Nigerian popular culture.
For now, it remains unclear whether Portable’s crossdressing represents a temporary experiment or a more permanent evolution in his artistic persona. What is certain is that his unconventional approach continues generating exactly what any modern entertainer seeks—attention, engagement, and cultural conversation that extends far beyond the music itself.
