Nigerian comedian Bright Okpocha, widely known as Basketmouth, has clarified that he has no plans to leave comedy for filmmaking. Despite the growing appeal and financial potential of the movie industry, Basketmouth emphasized that his passion for comedy remains steadfast.
He made this statement during an exclusive interview at the premiere of his first feature film, A Ghetto Love Story. Basketmouth explained that while the success of his film is important to him, it will not overshadow his commitment to comedy. The comedian noted that he intends to continue pursuing both comedy and filmmaking, maintaining a balance between the two forms of entertainment.
This reassurance comes as Basketmouth ventures into filmmaking, showing his versatility and desire to explore new creative avenues without abandoning his comedic roots. Fans can rest assured that while his film career may be blossoming, his career as a comedian is far from over.
Basketmouth made it clear that while he is expanding his career into filmmaking, his passion for comedy remains strong. He shared plans to embark on a comedy tour starting in 2025, with international stops in the UK and the US, as well as a performance in Nigeria. Despite his busy schedule with filmmaking, he emphasized that stand-up comedy would continue to be a significant focus of his career.
However, he also mentioned that he would be stepping away from certain private gigs, such as acting as the master of ceremonies (MC) at weddings. Basketmouth explained, “I am still into comedy. From next year, I’m going on tour. Already, I have my UK tour, and then I have a US tour. I’m also doing a show in Nigeria next year. Comedy is still going, and I’m not going to stop.”
This announcement reassures his fans that although his career is branching out, comedy will always remain at the heart of what he does.
Basketmouth further explained his decision to step away from private gigs, such as acting as the master of ceremonies (MC) at weddings, despite the financial benefits they offer. He stated that while a lot of money comes from such events, he felt it was a necessary sacrifice to remain true to his passion for stand-up comedy.
He shared his thoughts, saying, “The only thing I’ll stop is private gigs, like weddings. Although a lot of money comes from there, that is a sacrifice I had to make. You know, because I do stand-up comedy. That’s what I do. I didn’t enter this industry to be an MC at weddings and events. I felt like I was adulterating the art. You understand?”
Basketmouth admitted that he felt guilty about doing MC work and viewed it as a departure from his true craft. He continued, “I felt bad about it, so I had to stop. So if I’m doing a private gig, I have to be doing stand-up comedy, not MCing. Let me just do my 30 minutes and leave. But I can’t do MCing at any event anymore, because I can’t do it. That’s cheating. I’m cheating on my art.”
This decision underscores his commitment to preserving the integrity of his craft and focusing solely on stand-up comedy, rather than diluting his artistry with MC duties at events. His fans can expect him to stay dedicated to comedy, especially in his upcoming comedy tours.
While comedy remains his primary focus, Basketmouth has expressed that he will no longer take up MC gigs at weddings or similar events, viewing it as a compromise to the integrity of his art. He clarified that when he does take on private gigs, it will strictly be for stand-up comedy, not as an MC. This marks a shift in his career as he places a higher value on staying true to his comedic roots.
The comedian is gearing up for an international comedy tour in 2025, which includes performances in the UK, the US, and Nigeria. These shows will allow him to connect with his global fanbase while continuing to entertain with his signature comedy.
