Basketmouth | |
|---|---|
Basketmouth at the AMVCAs 2020 | |
| Born | Bright Okpocha (1978-09-14) 14 September 1978 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Education | Degree Holder |
| Alma mater | University of Benin (UNIBEN) |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Medium |
|
| Genres | |
| Subjects | |
| Website | www |
Bright Okpocha (born 14 September 1978), better known by his stage name Basketmouth, is a Nigerian comedian and actor. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Basketmouth Uncensored across the globe.
Basketmouth hosted a comedy challenge on Instagram, called the #TwoThingsChallenge 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.[1]
He was a producer of "Ghana Jollof".[2]
Biography
Early life
Bright Okpocha was born in Lagos State and is originally from Abia State, Nigeria. He completed his primary and secondary school education in Apapa, Lagos, before studying Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Benin, Edo State.
Career
He discovered an interest in drumming in 1991 and began rapping in 1994. He formed a group called "Da Psychophats" with seven members, performing from 1995 until the group disbanded before releasing any recordings. He subsequently formed another rap group, "Da Oddz", with his brother Godwin and Muyiwa Ola-Phillips. The group performed at several shows but did not achieve a commercial breakthrough.[3]
Okpocha subsequently transitioned from rap to stand-up comedy.[4]
Education
Okpocha completed his primary and secondary school education in Apapa, Lagos, before pursuing a degree in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Benin.[5]
Appearances
- In 2000, Basketmouth appeared in Lagbaja's
music video Gra Gra.
- In 2005 and 2006, Basketmouth won the National
Comedy Award and the Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year award.[6] He was nominated at the 2021 maiden edition of The Humour Awards alongside fellow comedian Mr Funny.[7]
- Basketmouth appears in the Africa Magic series "My Flatmates" (2016).[8][9]
- In 2018, Basketmouth hosted businessman [[Femi
Otedola]] at his home.[10]

In December 2020, he launched a comedy web series titled "Papa Benji".[11]
Music
Okpocha launched a record label, Barons World Entertainment, in 2014.[12]
He released a highlife album titled Yabasi as the soundtrack for Papa Benji in November 2020, featuring artists including Ladipoe, BOJ, The Cavemen, Bez, Waje, Duncan Mighty, Flavour and Phyno under Freeme Music.[13]
In 2022, he released the album Horoscope, featuring Johnny Drille, Simi, M.I Abaga, Buju, Peruzzi, [[Oxlade (singer)|Oxlade]], Reekado Banks, Falz, Magnito, Illbliss, Dremo, and Flavour.
In May and December 2022, he produced music for Aṣa[14] and Adekunle Gold[15] under Barons World Entertainment.
In 2023, Okpocha announced his third studio album, titled Uburu.[16]
Filmography
Okpocha produced and acted in a short film titled Confession of a Bandit.[17]
In 2022, he appeared in the Nollywood film The Brotherhood alongside Falz, OC Ukeje and Tobi Bakre.[18]
In 2024, his first feature film A Ghetto Love Story was released.[19]
Discography
Studio albums
- Yabasi (Onions) (2020)
- Horoscopes (2022)
- A Ghetto Love Story (2024)[20]
Personal life
In November 2010, Okpocha married Elsie in Lagos.[21] They have three children.[22] In December 2022, Okpocha announced via Instagram that he and his wife were divorcing after twelve years of marriage.[23]
In 2010, he was listed as the second best comedian in Africa by MNET's Studio 53 Extra.[24]
Okpocha has held endorsement deals with Globacom, Amstel Malta, Kia Motors and Dana Airlines.[25]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series | My Flatmates | Nominated | [26] |
See also
References
- MTVBase (2013-11-22). "Basketmouth arrested in the UK". MTVBase. Archived from the original on 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
- BellaNaija.com (2021-07-16). "Superstar Comedian Basketmouth serves "Ghana Jollof" – Here's How You can Audition for the Showmax Original". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- "Comedian BASKETMOUTH Full Biography,Life And News". T.I.N. Magazine. 19 July 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- Amagiya, Florence (July 26, 2014). "Rich and Famous : Behold Basket Mouth the comic Lord". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- Informationng (2014-08-02). "Basketmouth's Book: Before I Write A Book Part 2". Informationng. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
- Abisola Alawode & Jumoke Rufus (2014-01-10). "What Did Basketmouth Do Wrong?". Leadership. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
- vanguardngr.com (2021-10-06). "The Humour Awards Academy releases nomination list-Vanguard". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- "Basketmouth's new sitcom 'My Flatmates' premiers on AfricaMagic". InfoNubia. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-08-05.
- "Why my kids don't attend my shows — Basketmouth". The Punch. 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- "Basketmouth Hosts Billionaire, Femi Otedola in His Home – Premium Times International". Archived from the original on 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
- "It's Finally Here! Watch the First Episode of Basketmouth's Comedy Series "Papa Benji"". BellaNaija. BNTV. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
- "Basket Mouth Launches Record Label, Sign Younger Brother". Pulse Nigeria. 2014-09-08. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- "Basketmouth drops star-studded compilation project, 'Yabasi'". The Native. 2020-11-20. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- "Asa Live in Lagos". This Day. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
- "Basketmouth Is The Latest Star To Cover TheWill Downtown Magazine". BellaNaija. 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
- "Basketmouth confirms title and release date of third studio album". NotjustOk. 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- Tv, Bn (2021-05-04). "Basketmouth's Short Film "The Confession Of A Bandit" is so Hilarious | Watch". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
- "'The Brotherhood' features Falz, Basketmouth, Sam Dede, others". This Day. 2022-09-23. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- Premium Times https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/755369-basketmouths-debut-feature-film-a-ghetto-love-story-premieres-in-lagos.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - HardeyhorlahLizzy (2024-11-21). "Basketmouth Announces New Album 'A Ghetto Love Story' Ahead of Movie Release". NaijaPr. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- "First Pictures From Basketmouth's Wedding!". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- "Comedian Basketmouth Missing in the Cut As Wife Elsie Releases Family Christmas Photo With Their Children". Legit.ng. 2022-12-25. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- "Comedian, Basketmouth, announces marriage crash". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 2022-12-23. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- Amagiya, Florence (July 26, 2014). "Rich and Famous: Behold Basketmouth the comic lord". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- Amagiya, Florence (July 26, 2014). "Rich and Famous: Behold Baketmouth the Comic Lord". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- "Queen Osas, best actress, AMVCA 2022". TheCable. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
External links
Media related to Basketmouth at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
- Exclusive Features on Basketmouth and other Nigerian comedians Archived 2022-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
- Basketmouth at www.takemetonaija.com