Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has revealed his intention to quit comedy in five years.
The Nigerian comedian, who shared this during an interview, mentioned that he has been in the comedy scene for the past six years but is now looking to explore new avenues.
”Last year, I told myself and my team, you know what, I am going back to comedy. I want to do five years, and I am quitting. I am quitting in 5 years. I have got five years to do this, and I am done. I will still be cracking jokes, but it wouldn’t be a professional thing,” he said.
The father of three added that he is now into movies, series, and concert production.
”I want to experience something new, and I want to be remembered for something else other than comedy,” he added.
“I’ll be 50 in five years, I’d have moved on to something else that’d be taking a lot of my time, and I don’t want to cheat comedy. I want to give it a 100%. I know that in five years, I can blend all the interests and go fully into movies, TV and music concerts. It’s going to be hard to do all these things and still give 100% to comedy,” he said.
Challenges in the comedy industry
Basketmouth further complained about the challenges of the comedy industry in Nigeria, he highlighted broader issues faced by comedians in the country.
He specifically pointed out the lack of a structured framework for comedians to succeed compared to other entertainment sectors like music and films.
In his observations, Basketmouth noted that music and films benefit from streaming platforms, which provide global exposure.
However, he lamented that the same level of exposure and infrastructure has not been established for comedy. This, he believes, contributes to a decline in the culture of stand-up comedy as comedians struggle without adequate structures to practice and refine their craft.
Basketmouth’s plans to address the challenges in the comedy industry involve taking action to provide exposure for comedians.
Before exiting the industry, he intends to work with streaming platforms to create a show named “One Night Stand.” The goal is to offer a platform for new comics to be seen and heard on a global scale.
Despite his planned exit, Basketmouth is leaving the door open for a potential return in the future.
He mentioned that as a comedian, he will continue writing materials, and there’s a possibility of returning to the comedy scene after a hiatus.
In addition to his comedy career, Basketmouth is involved in various creative ventures.
He is the creator of the web series “Papa Benji” and has produced three critically acclaimed music albums: “Yabasi,” “Horoscopes,” and “Uburu.” His multifaceted approach to entertainment showcases a diverse range of talents beyond stand-up comedy.