AY Makun, Basketmouth meet, after 17-year feud

Nigerian comedian cum filmmaker, Ayodeji Richard Makun, popularly known as AY, and his colleague, Bright Okpocha, better known as Basketmouth, have made their first public appearance together after settling their 17 years of beef.

NaijaOnPoint.com.ng(NOP) recalls that the rift between the two prominent comedians, began in 2006 over unpaid performance fee.

In 2021, Basketmouth during a Black Box interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, said he fell out with AY because he messed with loyalty while AY during an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo in May 2023, attributed the cause of the rift to a business transaction that went sour in 2006.

However, following Basketmouth’s apology in 2023, the duo decided to put  their differences aside and work together again.

Speaking about the rift, AY in the latest episode of the ‘Glass House with AY‘ podcast, argued he did not get the money for the show while Basketmouth maintained that he was paid.

AY went on to shared insights into his prolonged rift with Basketmouth.

“I did not know when the fight started. I just noticed it started. Every day I wake up thinking it was a normal thing, boys will be boys and like that, it grew into several years,” he said.

“Then the third year, it seemed like people were spreading more rumours about the feud till it lasted that long. It lasted too long”.

AY emphasised the feud’s impact on younger comedians. “Our feud caused some damages because in a way we were like providers for people,” he said.

Basketmouth added: “Most times people swear allegiance by default. So when we were not on good terms some people made it their business”.

“…A comedian called me to tell me AY reached out to him for a gig and was asking if it was okay to work with AY. I told him it was okay and I was happy it happened because people would know it was okay to work for either of us because it was about more money and opportunities.

“There was a guy who picked a side and came at me. Now that we are cool, he would be confused. It is collaboration over competition.”