Bright Okpocha is his real name, widely and professionally known as Basketmouth. He is a renowned Nigerian comedian and actor. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like ‘Basket Mouth Uncensored’ held across the globe.
He was born September 14, 1978 in Lagos State, but hails from Abia State, Nigeria.
Basket Mouth Educational Background
Basketmouth had his primary and secondary school education in Apapa (Lagos, Nigeria). He later bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropoly at the University of Benin, Edo State.
Basketmouth’s Career
Basketmouth discovered his skills in drumming in 1991 followed by taking up rapping in 1994.
He then formed a group called “Da Psychophats“ which had 7 members and they started going for shows and rapping in 1995. However they broke up before releasing any material.
Basketmouth went on to form another rap group known as “Da Oddz“ with his brother Godwin and Muyiwa Osunrobi: they performed a couple of shows but didn’t break through as their brand of rap was not accepted in Nigeria.
In all, Basketmouth has recorded much in the music industry, recording good number of songs including The Traveller, Assembly of God, Love and Life, Money, Papa Benji, Ride and Die, among many others.
He is currently signed to an American Record Label, ‘Empire’ and has collaborated with top Nigerian artists like Phyno, Waje, Ducan Mighty in his highlife album, ‘Yabasi which was a sound track for the song, Papa Benji. The huge success recorded by the album earned Basketmouth two nominations as at the 15th Headies in the categories of Best of the Year and Alternative Album of the year Awards.
Basketmouth has at 2022 worked with top music icons like Perruzi, Oxlade, Johnny Drill, Flavour, Farlz and many others.
Basketmouth hosted a comedy challenge on Instagram, called the Two Things Challenge which sparked an uproar from fans, after a young fan posted a video of him saying obscene things relating to sex, with a child in close view in the video.
In 2005 and 2006 Basketmouth won the National Comedy Award and the awards for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year.
On February 14, 2017, to mark Valentine’s day, Bright had a sold out concert in the famous Wembley arena which made people consider him to be one of the greatest comedians to come out of Africa.
Basketmouth appears in the Africa Magic show ‘My Flatmates’ (2016-).Basketmouth recently hosts Nigerian Billionaire Femi Otedola in his home.
Basket over the years has hosted concerts featuring Jay Z, Rihanna, Beyonce, Joe, Chris Brown, Boys 2 men, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Cool and the gang, Akon, Dru Hill, Buster Rhymes,, Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg, Ciara, Jarule, Brian McKnight and many more.
Basketmouth, a leading player in the comedy industry in Nigeria and having represented the Stand-up Comedy genre as one of Nigeria and Africa’s leading exports. The Basketmouth brand has over the years won hearts of Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
In the words of Basketmouth, “My Nigeria is my earth, my material, my jokes, my fans. My Nigeria is my joy, my pain, my love. My Nigeria is me”. Basketmouth,
Basketmouth has so far staged several shows, most notably:
- Lagbaja’s Motherland Concert
- Choice FM Comedy Show
- Hanging With The Boys
- International Conference in Ethiopia
- Basketmouth Uncensored held in Nigeria and Abroad.
During these defining years, Basketmouth and his team launched his one-man standup comedy concert tagged ‘Basketmouth Uncensored’ a show that reached every form of success, the show witnessed 4 years (2005-2009) and each of the installment was a sold out concert.
He stopped hosting the show to introduce other comedy brand ‘Lords of the Ribs, Nigerian Kings of comedy, African Kings of Comedy & Laffs n Jamz’.
In 2014, Basketmouth re-launched his one man comedy show which was unarguably one of the best in the contemporary time.
Basketmouth is also a fantastic actor. He ventured into acting in 2006 and has made remarkably impact in Nollywood, playing stunning roles in movies. He began a comedy TV show, titled ‘My Flatmates’ and worked with renowned OAP star, Steve Onu who then used Monika Yaw and Kayode Peters.
The all-round entertainer has since acted with top Nollywood stars including Zubby Michael, Sam Dede and other others in the popular 2022 movie, ‘Brotherhood’.
Endorsements
Basketmouth’s brilliant performances have earned him good number of endorsements. He is a brand Ambassador to Globalcom, Malta Guinness, Sure Bet, KIA Motors and other giant companies in Nigeria.
Awards and Nominations
Basketmouth has been nominated for various awards and won a good number, most notably:
- 2005 and 2006 National Comedy Awards
- The Best Stand-Up Comedian of the year
- 2017 Pan-African Comic Award Winner of the Year
- 2022 Nominee for Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series
- 2022 Nominee for Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and others.
His Marital Life
Basketmouth present marital status is not known. He was in a relationship but not much is known about his marital affairs.
Basketmouth’s Net Worth.
Basketmouth is currently one of the foremost and successful Nigerian comedians and entertainiers with an estimated net worth of well over $5 million dollars. Most of his huge earnings come from comedy shows, endorsements and other ventures, He has a number of luxurious cars and Jeeps and several houses across the country.
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