Comedians AY Makun and Basketmouth have made their first public appearance together, ushering in a fresh chapter after their 17-year conflict.
The two well-known comedians’ feud, which started in 2006 over unpaid performance fees, grew more intense in 2022 as they avoided one another in public.
AY stated in March 2023 that he had not received payment from Basketmouth for anchoring a show for him. In response, Basketmouth called his colleague’s version of events “lies.”
However, both comedians have set aside their disagreements since Basketmouth apologised late last year.
The comic claimed he did not receive payment for the program in the most recent episode of the “Glass House with AY” podcast, but Basketmouth insisted he got compensated.
AY also 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.”