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.
He was a producer of "Ghana Jollof".
Contents
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.
Okpocha subsequently transitioned from rap to
stand-up comedy.
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.
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. He was nominated at the 2021 maiden edition of The Humour Awards alongside fellow comedian Mr Funny.
Basketmouth appears in the Africa Magic series "My Flatmates" (2016).
In 2018, Basketmouth hosted businessman Femi Otedola at his home.
In December 2020, he launched a comedy web series
titled "Papa Benji".
Music
Okpocha launched a record label, Barons World
Entertainment, in 2014.
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.
In 2022, he released the album Horoscope, featuring Johnny Drille, Simi, M.I Abaga, Buju, Peruzzi, Oxlade, Reekado Banks, Falz, Magnito, Illbliss, Dremo, and Flavour.
In May and December 2022, he produced music for Aṣa and Adekunle Gold under Barons World Entertainment.
In 2023, Okpocha announced his third studio album, titled Uburu.
Filmography
Okpocha produced and acted in a short film titled
Confession of a Bandit.
In 2022, he appeared in the Nollywood film The Brotherhood alongside Falz, OC Ukeje and Tobi Bakre.
In 2024, his first feature film A Ghetto Love Story was released.
Discography
Studio albums
Yabasi (Onions) (2020)
Horoscopes (2022)
A Ghetto Love Story (2024)
Personal life
In November 2010, Okpocha married Elsie in Lagos. They have three children. In December 2022, Okpocha announced via Instagram that he and his wife were divorcing after twelve years of marriage.
In 2010, he was listed as the second best comedian
in Africa by MNET's Studio 53 Extra.
Okpocha has held endorsement deals with Globacom,
Amstel Malta, Kia Motors and Dana Airlines.