Being a celebrity has deprived me of street experience-BASH ‘D’ CASH

Born Hammed Basheer but better known as BASH ‘D’ CASH is one of Nigerians best comedian whose comedy prowess is second to none, known for his rich usage of indigenous language, Bash has made his impact known in the entertainment industry and continues to flourish. He is not just your regular type of comedian; he doubles as event compere amongst others. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Bash reveals expectation for 2018, music side of him, advice to budding comedians,

What do you have in stock for 2018?

2018 is going to be a busy, more performance outside the country & show the other side of the brand (bash d cash)

Growing up days

For me growing was tough coupled with lots of  fun, I learn to always standup for myself from the street  &my society taught me to be educated ,growing up was like best of both world (fun & tough)

At what point did you notice the thread being a comedian?

I am always a witty person, I love to see humour in every situation but I always love to entertain but never know I will end up being a comedian. It was a gradual process of discovering myself overtime, the brand BASH started from a point to where it is now and my special grace of God, the brand will continue to soar higher.

You stand out among your peers in the industry, what do you think you are doing differently? 

Well, one of my policy in life is to always remain being me which is the BASH brand; I don’t want to be like or sound like anybody that why I always set a standard for myself. In essence I am just myself and I love to infuse my school sense and street sense together to make common sense.

What’s your take on comedian recycling jokes?

Just like every other business, there are some contents you don’t want to let go, so recycling is not a problem as long as you are making your audience laugh but recycling another comedian’s joke without making reference to the original owner that’s content theft that’s a problem. It is important that we give credit when necessary, you don’t just jump on stage and begin to say a joke that belongs to another person; remember most of the jokes we crack also goes through some creative processes.

You are musician, standup comedian, compeer and entrepreneur; don’t you think you are handling too much?

Handling too much ke!!! It’s not even much, if somebody like Aliko Dangote is selling sugar, cement, rice etc is that’s much for the richest black man? No, So man will not survive by bread alone. The most important thing is how you strategize and make proper planning so that your schedules don’t clash at the same time.

What’s your take on celebrities who exposes their private life on social media?

Its personal thing, I am not a fan of that because one man’s meat is another man’s poison

 How have you been able to curb scandals as it is mostly attached to celebrities? 

I think I have been able to curb that aspect simple because am a very private person, I keep my circle very small & I always maintain my lane

You once shared same music group with 9ice and Cabasa, why did it take you so long show off your musical dexterity?

I didn’t just share with them, they are my family & brothers, a lot of them always warn that your music may affect your comedy brand because of your depth & use of words, so I have to build the brand to a level before I decide to infuse some music. It must have taken me so long to come out of my shell in terms of music but at the same time, proper timing is key.

What is that one thing a fan once did to you?

A fan once kiss me & a fan once slap me(a lady)

Have you ever witness heart break, if yes how did you take it?

Almost every man has once experienced heartbreak ….its either you learn or lean from it, that’s when I learn to keep my circle very small. it’s always a bad experience

Could you recall your first kiss, what was the experience like?

Yes, it was wonderful but it wasn’t love .its kiss at first sight

What has being a celeb deprived you of?

Its deprive me of my street experience e.g eating rice at the bus stop in nylon lol

Musically what should we expect from you?

My fans should expect the best of the KINGKONG, MUSIC will talk about my pains & gains….expect words , depth & different genre of music generally

What is your advice to budding comedians who look up to you?

The most important thing is to be yourself, be spontaneous, be hardworking & lastly be prayerful, because you need God’s grace to excel in all your endeavors.

Some comedians have delved into movie production and some make major features in movies, should we be expecting such from you soon?

For now, just my music, my skit & events

What project are you currently working on at the moment?

I am currently perfecting a song I want to drop very soon titled P.A.I.N (Preaching against Injustice in Nigeria), a lot of people have not seen the music aside of me, here is an opportunity to do so now