Bright Okpocha, better known by his stage name Basketmouth, a Nigerian comedian and entertainer, has spoken out about his feud with colleague AY Makun, also known as AY.
For years, rumors have swirled about the two comedians' connection, despite the fact that they have never worked together and are rarely seen together
Both comedians were said to have their own camps of comedians that were linked with them.
Basketmouth has spoken out about the supposed conflict, claiming that AY messed with loyalty, but that he has apologized and the two are now on good terms.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu brought up the problem of 'disunity among comedians in Nigeria' during his Black Box Interview series on Bounce Radio. Basketmouth was then asked to comment on his connection with AY by Ebuka
“I would have stayed in the area where the competition is.” I still do standup comedy, but not as energetically as before because I'm now focusing on all-around entertainment. My only rival is myself. He claimed that AY and he don't have any sort of feud.
“He entered my space; he tampered with my allegiance by telling my lawyer Magnus something I told him in private. It was insignificant, yet it was enough to create a split and force me to erect barriers. We reconciled, and he apologized. I have no issues with AY at all, contrary to popular belief. We don't communicate.”
The 43-year-old comedian, on the other hand, downplayed the problem, claiming that it had been resolved and that they had moved on.
Basketmouth remarked, "We made peace and he apologized."
Basketmouth also used the opportunity to dispel speculations that he had a falling out with AY because he had'stolen' comedian Bovi as a disciple.
"I didn't kidnap Bovi. Bovi is not a girl,” the comedian stated, adding that he first met Bovi at a gig in Abuja and that they became friends from there.
“I went to Abuja with Bovi. He put on a show. I was completely taken aback. When he was finished, we discussed how he could improve. We'd been friends for a while, but it was the first time I'd seen him perform. “I had no idea what the backstory was,” he admitted.
“I suggested that we do business together, and we hit it off right away. Before and after the AY quarrel, I was already hearing claims.
Basketmouth stated that his main concern right now is growing his audience rather than fighting with other comedians.
“I'm more concerned with growing my following than with feuds. How can I compel visitors to watch my videos religiously? I'm working on a film, a program called "The Voices In My Head" that will air next year, a sitcom, and another album. These are the things that concern me.”