Nigerian comedian and filmmaker, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has cautioned aspiring talents about the dangers of social media fame during his appearance on the CreativiTEA podcast.
“A lot of people have been blinded by the idea of just being famous,” Basketmouth said, emphasizing that many focus solely on the spotlight without considering how they got there. “Undermining how one becomes famous – they don’t care. What is your brand equity?”
The comedian highlighted the fleeting nature of viral fame, urging listeners to think long-term. “Can you sustain what you have generated in two weeks for twenty years?What do you have to sell? What do you have to offer? What kind of brand do you want to represent?”
Addressing the rise of bad publicity as a shortcut to fame, Basketmouth warned against following the wrong examples. “Bad publicity is bad publicity. People are blinded by the fact that it’s working for someone else. Don’t ever be deceived by what you see on social media,” he stressed. “Most of our people, it’s all fake. They are trying to make you look fake. People will talk about you for a few weeks, and that’s it.”
The filmmaker continued with a powerful message for upcoming creatives: “Don’t sell your brand for two weeks of fame, you will give birth to children later.” He emphasized the importance of authenticity and lasting value over short-lived attention.
Reflecting on his own journey, Basketmouth spoke about personal challenges and staying grounded. “There were times I used to allow the physical, the disappointments, drown me. The most important thing is joy in your heart. You have to feel joy inside – you can be in debt and still be in joy.”
Basketmouth also shared a personal strategy for staying positive: “Sometimes you just have to pray to God specifically for joy. Say, ‘God, I want to feel joy in my heart every day.’ When you radiate that positive energy, it comes.”
The comedian ended with an inspiring reminder of human potential: “We humans are like gods. That is why you can pray to a being that you cannot see, but you do it with faith. That faith you have is your superpower. God has given you that power – call on me anytime. Once you wake up in the morning and start feeling that joy, that peace of mind, start creating. Start thinking of what to do.”
Source: vanguardngr