Bright Okpocha, better known by his stage name as Basketmouth said he got his first standing ovation from Ali Baba in 1998, which consequently propelled others at the event to do him the same honour.
Reminiscing how he came in contact with Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome (Ali Baba), the man who raised the standard of comedy business, on his 54th birthday. Basketmouth wrote on his Instagram page, “Saw him live on stage for the first time in 1997, the gate fee of the show was N30… By the way a big thanks to Efe Agoreyo for buying me that show ticket.
“Watched his 1hr 30minutes performance in awe, after the show, I promised myself to work hard so I could share a stage with him… Have him see my work.
“I started working on myself, my art and materials… A year later, I was booked to perform at the sequel of the same show he did.
“However, I was slated to perform way too early, which would ruin my chance to have him see me perform. So I had GL (Ozidi Congo) begged the promoter to plug me in right before him.
“I got on stage right before his set, in the middle of my performance, I dropped a wicked material that the audience thoroughly enjoyed, Ali Baba stood up and gave me a standing ovation which kinda made everyone in the hall do the same.
“After my set, I walked up to him to introduce myself, he gave me his complimentary card and then the journey began… Thank you for everything BOSS! Thanks for being there all through the years. HAPPY BIRTHDAY @alibabagcfr.”
