Skepta and Portable’s new song, “Tony Montana,” hits No. 1 on Apple Music’s Nigerian Top 100 Songs

In less than a week after its release, Skepta and Portable’s latest hit single, “Tony Montana,” sets a new record by clinching the number one spot on Apple Music’s Nigerian Top 100 songs.

The brand new hit single, since its release on March 1st, 2024, has garnered millions of streams across multiple digital streaming platforms (DSPs) and has recorded a high rate of acceptability amongst music listeners in Nigeria and beyond.

While the hit single peaked on Spotify by becoming the number one song in less than 24 hours after its release, it waited four days to clinch the number one position on the highly glorified Apple Music’s Nigerian Top 100 songs, overtaking Ruger and Bnxn, formerly known as Buju’s latest banger, “Romeo must die (RMD),” which has also been doing great in amassing high stream numbers and taking over the streets and parties across borders.

Skepta and Portable first met each other in December 2023 during the British Fashion Awards, which were held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the Royal Albert Hall, an iconic London venue, according to online sources. The two artists then got acquainted and worked on the mind-blowing project, which they recently dished out to the delight of both their fans.

The music video for Skepta and Portable’s latest hit single, “Tony Montana,” has also amassed over one million streams on YouTube in just four days.

Portable’s collaboration with Skepta has, however, been described by many as a springboard for his musical career, given that the Zazoo Zehh crooner has failed to make any significant entries in several years.

Originally Habeeb Okikiola, the singer-songwriter made his debut entry into the number one spot on Apple Music’s Nigerian Top 100 songs in 2021 with his debut single, “Zazoo Zehh,” featuring YBNL record label owner Olamide and popular Nigerian dancer Pocolee. This was also the song that brought Portable into the limelight. But since then, the singer has not been able to make any of such entries despite witnessing a commendable gradual progression of his musical career and his ability to maintain relevance in the music industry. He has, to his credit, released several projects, including singles, an EP, and some notable collaborations with various artists across the country.

His latest collaboration with Skepta, a British-Nigerian rapper who was, in 2023, crowned the “Best British Rapper of All Time” by Complex UK, is undoubtedly a big push and an additional rank to his prowess.

Meanwhile, Skepta, a 41-year-old rapper, record producer, and DJ, is originally from Ogun State, Nigeria. He was born Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. to Nigerian immigrant parents in 1982. At the age of three, Skepta accidentally set his family’s house ablaze when he accidentally set fire to a teddy bear. His family then relocated to Tottenham’s Meridian Estate, where he grew up.

He is known for his exceptional delivery in the rap industry, having started as one of the hottest MCs during the early days of grime. Skepta has also collaborated with several Nigerian artists, some of whom his influence has projected to a global audience and grossly impacted their careers. An addition to this list would thus be Portable, who is also the owner and CEO of the Zeh Nation record label in Nigeria.