If I have to go to my grave without reconciling with Basketmouth, I will be happy – AY

Nollywood actor and comedian, Ayodeji Makun, also known as AY, revealed that he has decided to put an end to his attempts at reconciling with his long-time industry rival, Basketmouth.

For the past 17 years, AY and Basketmouth have been entangled in a feud, which AY claims stems from an unpaid N30,000 debt owed to him by Basketmouth. However, Basketmouth denies the debt, asserting that they were never close friends, to begin with.

In a recent interview with Teju Babyface, AY admitted that he had been making efforts over the years to mend fences with Basketmouth. Nonetheless, he now acknowledges that he is ready to let go of the grudge and is even prepared to take it to his grave if necessary.

AY mentioned that their senior colleagues in the entertainment industry are aware of his attempts at reconciliation. They advised him to stop pushing for a resolution when it became apparent that Basketmouth was unwilling to cooperate.

AY said, “The bros [senior colleagues in the comedy industry] knew [about my beef with Basketmouth] and at some point in time, they had to ask me to slow down. They were like: ‘You’re doing too much. You are putting in too much to make this thing work. Friendship is not by force.’

“I was believing that ‘No, this can work’. Even in my last stand-up comedy, I had to go on stage and I did another routine ‘My guy. How’s my guy? This is my guy. If you see this guy, tell him he’s my guy.’ And the following morning, everywhere exploded again. ‘We are not friends. We are not that. We are not this.’

“So, for me now, I’m not pushing anything anymore. As I’m here now as AY, if I have to go to my grave without sitting with any of these guys to say ‘hello, ‘hi,’ I will be happy.”