Basketmouth whose real name is Bright Okpocha is a Nigerian comedian, actor, and producer. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria on September 14, 1978.
Basketmouth rose to become one of Nigeria’s most successful comedians, with a career spanning over two decades. His stand-up comedy is well renowned for its distinctive blend of jokes, narrative, and observational humor.
Beginning his career in the late 1990s, Basketmouth has since established himself as a household figure in the Nigerian entertainment sector. In addition to working with several different comedians and musicians, he has performed at several events and performances both locally and internationally. Basketmouth has dabbled in acting, production, and event hosting in addition to comedy.
II. Early Life and Education
Basketmouth was born on September 14, 1978, in Lagos, Nigeria. He was raised in the modest Lagos suburb town of Ajegunle. In a family of seven, he is the last child. The parents of Basketmouth are from the Nigerian state of Abia.
Basketmouth loved entertainment as a child, and he frequently imitated his favorite celebrities and comedians. He received his primary and secondary schooling in Lagos before graduating from the University of Benin in Nigeria with a degree in sociology and anthropology.
Basketmouth’s childhood was not without its challenges, as his family struggled financially. However, his sense of humor and his determination to succeed in the entertainment industry kept him going. He has often mentioned in interviews how his childhood experiences helped to shape his worldview and sense of humor.
III. Career Beginnings
Basketmouth started his comedy career in the late 1990s while he was still in the university. He began performing at various events and shows, and his talent quickly caught the attention of other comedians in the industry. He won the National Comedy Award in 2001, which gave him more visibility and opened up new opportunities for him.
His breakthrough came in 2005 when he performed at the first edition of the now-popular comedy show, Night of a Thousand Laughs. The show, which was broadcast on national television, brought Basketmouth to a wider audience and established him as a top comedian in Nigeria.
After then, Basketmouth has gone on to perform at various events and shows, both locally and internationally.
He launched his comedy shows, Basketmouth Uncensored, Lord of the Ribs, and the African Kings of Comedy. He has also collaborated with several other comedians, both in Nigeria and abroad, including Bovi, I Go Dye, and Kevin Hart.
In addition to comedy, Basketmouth has also ventured into acting and producing. He has appeared in several movies and TV series, including “My Flatmates,” “Flatmates Reloaded,” “The Wedding Party” and “Brotherhood.” He has also produced and directed his comedy shows and several music videos for Nigerian artists.
IV. Family Life
Basketmouth comes from a large family of seven children, and he is the youngest. He has five brothers and one sister. Basketmouth is known to be very close to his family, and he often speaks fondly of his parents and siblings in interviews and on social media.
In 2010, Basketmouth got married to Elsie Okpocha, and they have two children together, a son and a daughter. Elsie is also a successful entrepreneur, and she owns a hair salon and a spa in Lagos. The couple has been together for over a decade and is known for their public displays of affection and support for each other. At the time of this post, Basketmouth and her lovely wife are divorced as he went to his social media handle to announce the breakup with his wife in December, 2022.
V. Professional Achievements
Basketmouth has achieved numerous professional accomplishments throughout his career. In addition to his many performances and collaborations with other artists, he has won several awards for his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. Some of his notable achievements include:
1. Winner of the National Comedy Award in 2001
2. Winner of the Comedian of the Year Award at the 2017 Nigerian Entertainment Awards
3. Winner of the Savanna Pan-African Comic of the Year Award at the 2017 4. South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards
5. Headlining several successful comedy shows, including Lord of the Ribs and Basketmouth Uncensored
6. Producing and directing his own comedy shows and music videos for Nigerian artists.
7. Basketmouth’s success in the entertainment industry has also translated into financial success, with an estimated net worth of over $10 million.
VI. Net Worth
Basketmouth’s net worth is estimated to be over $10 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful career in comedy, acting, producing, and hosting events. Some of his major sources of income include:
Comedy shows: Basketmouth is known for headlining successful comedy shows such as Lord of the Ribs and Basketmouth Uncensored. He earns a significant amount of money from ticket sales, merchandise sales, and sponsorships for these shows.
Acting: Basketmouth has appeared in several movies and TV series and has earned a good income from his acting roles.
Production: Basketmouth has produced and directed his own comedy shows and music videos for Nigerian artists. He earns a significant amount of money from these productions.
Endorsement deals: Basketmouth has endorsement deals with several top brands, including Guinness, Amstel Malta, and Globacom. He earns a significant amount of money from these deals.
Investments: Basketmouth is known to be a savvy investor and has made investments in several businesses, including real estate and hospitality. These investments have contributed to his overall net worth.
Overall, Basketmouth’s hard work and dedication to his craft have paid off, and he is considered one of the most successful comedians in Nigeria.
VII. Cars and Houses
Basketmouth is known to be a lover of luxury cars and has an impressive car collection. Some of the cars in his collection include a Lexus LX 570, Mercedes Benz G Wagon, and a Range Rover Sport. He is also known to have gifted his wife a brand new 2017 BMW X6 on her birthday.
In addition to his love for luxury cars, Basketmouth is also a savvy real estate investor. He owns several properties in Nigeria, including a multi-million naira mansion located in Lekki, Lagos. He also owns other properties, including a hotel and a lounge in the same area.
Basketmouth’s investments in real estate have contributed significantly to his overall net worth, and he continues to make smart investment decisions in the Nigerian hospitality industry.
VIII. Controversies
Basketmouth has had a few controversies throughout his career, including:
Homophobic comments: In 2016, Basketmouth made homophobic comments during an interview, which sparked a backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. He later apologized for his comments and clarified that he did not intend to offend anyone.
Cancelled performance: In 2017, Basketmouth’s performance at the Comic Choice Awards in South Africa was cancelled due to protests from South African comedians who accused him of making negative comments about their country’s entertainment industry. Basketmouth apologized for any offense he may have caused and stated that he had no intention of disrespecting the South African entertainment industry.
Despite these controversies, Basketmouth remains one of the most popular and respected comedians in Nigeria, and he continues to use his platform to bring joy and laughter to his fans.
IX. Philanthropy
Basketmouth is also known for his philanthropic efforts and has been involved in several social causes throughout his career. Some of his notable philanthropic activities include:
Giving back to his community: Basketmouth has been involved in several charitable activities aimed at improving the lives of people in his community. He has organized several free shows and concerts for his fans and has donated money and resources to various causes, including education and healthcare.
Supporting children: Basketmouth is passionate about supporting children and has been involved in several initiatives aimed at improving their lives. He has donated money and resources to orphanages and schools, and he has also organized free shows and concerts for children.
Empowering youth: Basketmouth is committed to empowering the youth and has been involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. He has organized several seminars and workshops for young people, where he shares his knowledge and experiences in the entertainment industry.
Overall, Basketmouth is a philanthropist at heart and is passionate about giving back to his community. His philanthropic efforts have helped to improve the lives of many people in Nigeria, and he continues to use his platform to promote positive change in his society.
X. Conclusion
In conclusion, Basketmouth is one of the most successful comedians in Nigeria and has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He started his career as a stand-up comedian and has since expanded into acting, producing, and hosting events. He has also made significant investments in real estate and hospitality, which have contributed to his overall net worth.
Basketmouth is married to Elsie Okpocha, and they have two children together. He is also a philanthropist and has been involved in several social causes aimed at improving the lives of people in his community.
Looking to the future, Basketmouth continues to work hard to expand his career and make even greater achievements. He plans to continue entertaining his fans with his comedy shows and acting roles while also investing in more businesses to grow his wealth. He also plans to continue his philanthropic efforts, using his platform to promote positive change in Nigeria and beyond.
Gist247admin