Nigerian comedian Basketmouth has opened up about why he decided to stop working as a Master of Ceremony (MC) at weddings and other private events. While acknowledging that his decision has meant missing out on significant earnings, Basketmouth explained that the discomfort he felt while MCing these events made it a necessary sacrifice to preserve his artistic integrity.
In an interview at the premiere of his debut feature film, A Ghetto Love Story, Basketmouth discussed the personal reasons behind his decision. He admitted that turning down these high-paying gigs was financially challenging but insisted it was worth it to maintain his commitment to stand-up comedy. “I am losing a lot of money but it is not about the money now,” he said, emphasizing that his decision was about staying true to his craft.
Basketmouth explained that he felt being an MC at weddings and similar events was compromising his artistry. “I felt like I was adulterating the art,” he shared. “I felt bad about it and I had to stop.” According to the comedian, his role as an MC at such events was detracting from his primary passion—stand-up comedy. He made it clear that he did not enter the entertainment industry with the intention of being an event host, but rather as a comedian.
The comedian clarified that while he is no longer accepting private event hosting roles, he has not completely abandoned his role as a performer. “The only thing I have stopped is private gigs like weddings and all,” he explained. “It is a sacrifice I have to make because I do stand-up comedy, that is what I do.” Instead of acting as an MC, Basketmouth stated that he would now perform stand-up comedy at such private events.
He further expressed his preference for short, stand-up comedy performances over full hosting duties at private events. “Let me just do my 30 minutes and bounce, but not as the MC of any event,” he said. For Basketmouth, hosting events as an MC no longer aligns with his career goals or creative vision, which is focused on his stand-up comedy.
Basketmouth’s decision to stop MCing at weddings reflects his desire to stay grounded in the type of comedy that made him famous. He noted that while turning down lucrative offers may seem like a loss, it was more important for him to avoid “cheating on [his] craft.” His passion for stand-up comedy and his commitment to his artistry led him to make this difficult but necessary change.
In closing, Basketmouth made it clear that while money is always important, the integrity of his work as a comedian is paramount. “I cannot do it anymore,” he stated, referring to MCing weddings and private events. By taking a stand on his artistic values, Basketmouth is sending a strong message about the importance of staying true to one’s craft, even when it means walking away from significant financial opportunities.
