Timaya: I like Portable… he reminds me of my crazy days

Timaya says Portable, the controversial singer, reminds him of himself at the beginning of his career.

In a recent interview with Channels TV, the dancehall artiste who began his music career in the early 2000s said he “used to be really crazy”.

“I actually like Portable. The first time I met Portable, I told 2Baba about him when we were going to Delta state. I said, ‘Have you heard of that guy called Portable?’ 2Face replied, ‘Who is Portable?” I said, “Zazoo Zeh,” he said.

“I said that guy used to be me because I was a crazy guy. These Gen Z’s don’t know now. So, sometimes when I talk, some people would tell me that Timaya is unproblematic.

“I just look at them like if only they knew me. They say I mind my business but don’t know that it is now that I am calm. I was really really crazy. You know I am a Port Harcourt boy. I was very hot like fire but I think now, it is growth.

“I won’t even lie, at the time it was a strategy for me. How did I blow in the music industry? I realised that everybody was singing love song, and I am from Niger Delta. So in my music, I did not come as a lover boy.”

Born Inetimi Odon, Timaya rose to fame in 2005 with ‘Dem Mama’, his hit single.

He founded DM Records Limited, a label that houses music stars like Patoranking and Runtown. Since then, he has established himself as a household name in the music industry.

Recently, Burna Boy listed Timaya as one of the artistes who influenced his career positively.

In February, Timaya opened up about his struggle with drug abuse, specifically Molly, which he was introduced to during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Portable, on the other hand, gained fame in December 2021 with the release of his hit single ‘Zazoo Zeh,’ featuring Olamide and Poco Lee.

Since then, he has remained in the public eye for controversial reasons.