Award-winning performer Bright Okpocha, widely recognized as Basketmouth, discusses launching a career in comedy, football, and other areas, in this conversation with PETER AKINBO.
What was your initial passion, music or comedy?
My first love was music, you know, because back then I didn't really understand what stand-up comedy was. I was just seen as a funny guy in primary and secondary school, but even then, I had already developed an interest in music. I was trying to write rap songs and other music. It was during stage performances that I started showing my comedic side, almost like a second attempt on stage. I went there as a musician at the Ekenwan campus of the University of Benin. After I finished performing, the MC, who was a comedian, wasn't doing well; his jokes weren't working, and the audience was getting annoyed. Backstage, I knew I could do better. So I told Dotun, who is still my manager today, that I could handle it better. I begged the promoter to let me try telling jokes, saying he would like it more than what he had. The guy had nothing to lose, so he agreed, and they called me up on stage. At that time, my name wasn't Basketmouth; it was Bright. When I came back on stage, people said, "Wasn't this guy just rapping?" They started teasing me, and then I exploded, and that performance became one of my defining moments, but I still didn't take it seriously.
"How did Robert Kiyosaki make his first profit?"What caused you to consider it seriously?
One of the factors that really pushed me into comedy was after we performed a music act, and the audience booed us. I told the group to leave, and then I took on the crowd for around 30 minutes with my stand-up; both the MC and the event promoter didn't want it to stop, and they were really enjoying it. That's when I got the nickname 'Basketmouth.' One of the guys just started calling me that, and that's how the name stuck. It was then that I began thinking about doing stand-up comedy. But another reason I decided to go for it, besides being good at it, was watching Ali Baba perform. Someone bought me a ticket, which I think cost N50 back then, and I went to see Ali Baba. As I watched him, I thought, 'I can do this now,' I can do it at a professional level. What I did next was, after Ali left, he mentioned on stage that he would be returning the following year. So, I thought, 'Bright, work your way up until they invite you to be on that show.' The following week, I started submitting for comedy shows, stopped doing music, and focused on comedy. That's how I climbed the ladder. I was performing at departmental concerts, dinners, parties, and all sorts of events. I became well-known at the university. All I was waiting for was that call, and since there were no phones back then, someone came to me and said, 'Look, someone is looking for you—the show wants you. They came to the department to find you because they want you on that show.' That's how I got my first real performance as Basketmouth, so I made sure to perform right before Ali Baba so he could see me. When I returned, he gave me a standing ovation, which was when I realized I was good at this because Ali was considered the king. For someone like him to give you a standing ovation, you know you're doing something right. He also gave me his card. That's how it all happened. That's the story.
Did you participate in athletic activities during your childhood?
Sure, here's a paraphrased version of your text: I used to play soccer during my school days. I wasn't the top player, but I believed I had some ability. I didn't play as a forward; instead, I focused more on defense, probably because I didn't enjoy running all over the field. However, I do recall scoring a few goals during my time playing football. Eventually, I also took up karate, which I practiced for around five years.
Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in athletics?
No, not in the least. I was simply doing it. Back then, football, I'm not sure if that's how it is today, was something you just played on the streets. That's why you see many children from the 80s and 90s, they were very strong, always running around, playing, and so on. But most kids nowadays aren't playing, you know.
And what is your opinion on that?
It's unfortunate because when I was a child, kids used to play, as it's important for their health to have some exposure to the sun and to be physically active. We played almost every day after school, keeping our bodies fit. However, nowadays, children aren't playing as much. The sports they engage in are likely on a PS5; they sit down and watch large screens, which is why many kids now wear glasses by the age of five. Back then, only one out of 50 children wore glasses. As a result, we've limited many people from participating in active sports or play. This has happened to me too—I also bought iPads for my kids. Additionally, safety is a concern these days. In the past, neighbors would say, "The community is what trains children." But now, everyone is isolated, and you don't even know your neighbors.
BIG PROMO, BUY NOW!!!Your son is practicing football in England. Will you try to persuade him to join the Super Eagles once he becomes a top player?
Of course, I'll back him in playing for our national team. I'm a proud Nigerian, and I'll promote that. I know many people who are living abroad but are representing us in different fields. It's impressive to witness our people excelling outside the country, but it's equally crucial that we return and contribute to building our nation, as we're all working in this global arena. Therefore, I'm praying that the government will do more to create the right environment, so that our talented Nigerians can represent us rather than other countries. But certainly, with God's help, when my son reaches that stage, I will support him in coming back to play for the Nigerian team.
What is your preferred athletic activity?
I enjoy boxing and also like football, but not as much as I do boxing and kickboxing.
Who is your preferred choice among Anthony Joshua, Israel Adesanya, and Kamaru Usman?
I will choose Israel, and I admire him for his ambition and self-assurance. I appreciate his journey. I really enjoy the fact that he falls, but he doesn't stay down; he doesn't just remain on the ground. He gets back up, keeps fighting, and returns stronger, so that's what I value most. Now, for Usman, that's my favorite. I appreciate his power, and I also admire his perseverance. So, I would say my top choices are Usman and Adesanya. I'm a huge fan of Anthony as well. I enjoy what he's accomplishing, I like his approach, and I actually watch his matches. The recent bouts are definitely different from the earlier ones, but he's still one of the top fighters overall.
With the current skilled players in the Eagles' attacking line, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and others, do you believe the team has a chance to win the AFCON and the World Cup?
"How did Robert Kiyosaki make his first profit?"I truly believe that. It has been a while; there was a downturn at some point. After we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, there was a significant decline. Sometimes it's not just about the players themselves, but how well they perform as a unit and how frequently they train together. You can't simply bring together players from various areas, different leagues, clubs, and regions and expect them to defeat teams that have been training together for years. Therefore, if they can gather these players and start training together early enough, they will build a sense of understanding. In football, it's all about the passes and timing, and I think that's what we lacked in the game. If you watch the Brazilian team, it's like listening to music; it's very captivating to watch. Our players are equally skilled. I think we have some of the best players globally, but we don't use them effectively enough. I believe that if the players are selfless enough to overlook any challenges they face and focus solely on winning, they can secure both the AFCON and the World Cup. Trust me, my own experience shows that our boys are talented, but they don't play together often as a team. We have great players, but we lack a cohesive team. You might have the 11 best players in the world, but if they don't train together and are just thrown into a group, they will lose. If you look at our players, the time of Sunday Oliseh when we won the Olympics in 1996, those guys were a true team, a dream team. That was the team we needed, and that's what we need again. Once we have such a team, we will win. The best part is that they have the support, Nigeria has the support. With the excitement, energy, and backing, we will be victorious.
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