Bright Okpocha who is popularly known as Basketmouth was born on September 14th, 1978 in Lagos State. He is a Nigerian comedian, actor, TV presenter, producer, and MC. He has put on successful stand-up comedy shows like Basketmouth Uncensored all around the world. Basketmouth hosted the Two Things Challenge on Instagram, which sparked fan outrage after a young fan submitted a video of him saying obscene things about sex with a toddler in close proximity. He also worked as a producer on the film “Ghana Jollof”.
Early Life & Education
Bright Okpocha is a Nigerian singer who was born in Lagos but grew up in Abia. He finished primary and secondary school in Apapa, Lagos, before enrolling in the University of Benin in Edo State to study Sociology and Anthropology. In 1991, Basketmouth discovered his drumming talent, and in 1994, he began rapping. He then founded “Da Psychopaths,” a seven-member group, and began performing and rapping in 1995, but the group disbanded before releasing any recordings. With his brother Godwin and Muyiwa Ola-Phillips, he founded “Da Oddz,” a rap trio that performed a few gigs but failed to break through since their kind of rap was not recognized in the mainstream.
Career
In the year 2000, Basketmouth made an appearance in the Lagbaja music video Gra Gra. In 2005, Basketmouth was discovered by Oppa Williams through his comedy show titled “Night of a Thousand Laugh”. He also won the National Comedy Award and the honors for best stand-up comedian of the year in 2005 and 2006.
Basket Mouth, who is a brand ambassador for Glo, Malta Guinness, KIA Motors, Sure Bet, Ping Express, and a number of other well-known companies, is also committed to giving back. He founded his nonprofit, “The Bright Okpocha Foundation,” in 2014 with the goal of spreading holiday joy to individuals who are spending the holidays in hospitals.
Basketmouth starred in “My Flatmates,” an African magic show (2016). Basketmouth recently entertained Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire, at his house. He launched his comic online series “Papa Benji” in December 2020.
Basket Mouth has performed on some of the biggest stages in the world including The Comedy Central Special, The Just For Laughs Festival In Montreal Canada, and headlined the Comedy Store. He has worked with internationally acclaimed comedians like Red Grant, Melanie Camacho, Jeff Ross, Hanibal Buress, and Deray Davis.
He was nominated alongside fellow comic Mr. Funny in the inaugural edition of The Humour Awards Academy in 2021.
Personal and Marital Life
Basketmouth met his wife, Elsie Ngowi Uzoma, in 2003. Basketmouth had gone to the University of Lagos, which also happens to be Elsie’s alma mater, to promote his first big performance, ‘Basketmouth Uncensored,’ at the time.
Their relationship did not officially begin until they met again in 2004 at a bar in Lagos. Basketmouth and his beautiful bride, Elsie Ngowi Uzoma, dated for a few years before marrying on Saturday, November 6, 2010. They married at Giwa Barrack in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos State. Basketmouth is blessed with three children, 2 daughters, and 1 son.
In December 2022, Basketmouth announced that he and his wife Elsie Okpocha have separated after 12 years of marriage.
Taking to his Instagram page, Basketmouth explained: “After much deliberations, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage.”
He asked members of the public for privacy as they navigate their new life.
Basketmouth ‘rift’ with Ay
Basketmouth recectly opened up on rift with Ayo Makun, AKA AY.
Basketmouth in a Black Box interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, said he fell out with AY because the comedian messed with loyalty.
He further explained that AY has apologized and they have made peace.
“I’d have stayed where the competition is. I still do standup comedy but not with great energy because I’m targeting all-around entertainment now. My competition is me. There’s nothing [like a feud] between AY and I.
“He came in my space; messed with loyalty by saying something to my lawyer Magnus that I told him in private. It was nothing but it was enough to cause a rift and have me put up the walls. We made peace and he apologised. I have no single problem with AY as claimed. We don’t talk.
“We made peace and he apologised,” he said.
Music Career
- In 2014, he founded the record label Barons World Entertainment.
- In November 2020, he released the highlife album ‘Yabasi’ as a soundtrack for the film ‘Papa Benji.’ Ladipoe, BOJ, The Cavemen, Bez, Waje, Duncan Mighty, Flavour, and Phyno were among the artists featured on the album. [12]
- Johnny Drilled, Simi, M.I Abaga, Buju, Peruzzi, Oxlade, Reekado Banks, Falz, Magnito, Illbliss, Dremo, and Flavour are among the guests on his album Horoscope, which was published in 2022.
Basketmouth Properties (House and Cars)
Basketmouth is said to own many luxurious fleet of cars, This are the list of cars owned by Basketmouth.
- Honda Crosstour: He gifted his wife this beautiful Honda sedan on her birthday in 2013
- Lexus LX570
- Opel insignia
- Toyota Highlander
Basketmouth is said to be living in a very beautiful and gigantic house. As a rich comedian, it is expected that Basketmouth owns a lot of luxury mansions.
Undoubtedly, that is the simple truth, Basketmouth owns a couple of luxury mansions.
As a matter of fact, so many of his real estate properties are unknown to the media.
However, Basketmouth owns a mansion in Lekki, Lagos.
This mansion is a huge mansion that features a double parking space, a large swimming pool, and so many other facilities.
Basketmouth Endorsement Deals/Business
- He signed a Multi-million naira endorsement with DANA AIR In 2011
- He also got an N12m endorsement deal with Surebet
- He has also been an ambassador for Glo Ng and his contract was renewed many times
- It is being rumored that he owns so many real estate properties.
Influencing & Impacts
He founded his nonprofit organization, ‘The Bright Okpocha Foundation,’ in 2014 with the goal of spreading holiday pleasure to individuals who are spending the holidays in hospitals.
Comedy Series
- My Flatmates
- Papa Banji
- Two Things Involved
- And lots more
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards | Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series | My Flatmates | Nominated |
| 2006 | National Comedy Award | Best Stand-Up Comedian | Won | |
| 2005 | National Comedy Award | Best Stand-Up Comedian | Won |
Net Worth
Basketmouth as a huge amount of money which makes him one of the richest comedian in Nigeria. His net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
