
It all started with what seemed like a harmless phone call—one comedian reaching out to another, reminiscing about old times. But what followed quickly spiraled into a fiery, no-holds-barred war of words that has now taken over social media timelines and sparked heated debates across Nigeria’s entertainment scene.
Skit makers Shank and Nasty Blaq—two of the most recognizable faces in Nigerian comedy—have locked horns in an unexpected public clash over a $10,000 prize recently awarded to Shank by the world-renowned YouTuber, MrBeast. The drama began during a livestream that was supposed to be lighthearted, but ended up delivering one of the most chaotic and entertaining internet moments of 2025 so far.
Shank, currently in the United States hanging out with top streamer Kai Cenat, was basking in the afterglow of winning the hefty cash prize. Known for his witty skits and deadpan delivery, Shank was caught off guard when his longtime friend and fellow comedian, Nasty Blaq, called in during the livestream and requested a staggering $5,000 cut from the prize.
According to Nasty Blaq, the ask wasn’t just a random request—it was a bet he made with his friends. “I told my guys that Shank go run me 5K. We’ve been boys since day one,” Nasty said during the call, with a mix of banter and subtle seriousness.
But Shank was having none of it.
The conversation quickly took a sharp left turn. What started as friendly teasing descended into a full-blown verbal exchange, with both comedians trading barbs and jabs while thousands of fans watched live. At one point, Shank snapped, visibly irritated by the sense of entitlement in Nasty Blaq’s tone.
“Are you mad? Is it your money?” Shank shouted, visibly losing his cool. “I hustle die for this one and you dey call me say I go run you 5K? You get mind o!”
Nasty Blaq, refusing to back down, hit back with mockery and nostalgia. “You don forget who dey pay for your bread and beans those days? You dey craze?” he said, referencing their early days of hustling together as struggling entertainers.
The “bread and beans” line, seemingly innocent, has now become a viral catchphrase online. Twitter exploded with memes, voiceovers, and dramatic reenactments of the moment. Netizens wasted no time picking sides or simply enjoying the comedic gold that the spat has turned into.
User @Micheal32877224 tweeted: “I wonder how Una go watch this guy finish and go dey gift that peller.”
@Asarailu_ added with laughter emojis: “Nastyblaq beggie beggie.”
@RODNEYBRAIN sarcastically suggested: “Send him back the 5 dolls.”
@yeyebrity1 chimed in: “He say na 5 dollars e go send,” poking fun at Shank’s rebuttal.
And @AuxPunt summed it up perfectly: “I bought you bread and beans” – the new national anthem.
For many fans, the entire episode reads like a skit within a skit—two comedians blurring the line between real-life beef and performance art. But those close to the entertainers suggest that the tension might be deeper than jokes.
Shank and Nasty Blaq’s careers have been closely intertwined. They’ve both risen through the ranks of Nigeria’s online comedy boom, often collaborating and supporting each other publicly. Their onscreen chemistry has led many to believe their friendship is rock solid. But this $10K episode seems to have uncovered fissures that audiences weren’t privy to.
Some social media users speculated that the clash might be a stunt, carefully orchestrated to generate buzz. Others, however, believe the anger—especially on Shank’s part—was too raw to be anything but genuine.
Whether real or staged, the aftermath is undeniable: both comedians are trending, their names splashed across entertainment blogs and X (formerly Twitter). The livestream clip has already amassed hundreds of thousands of views, and the “bread and beans” debate is fast becoming the internet’s favorite inside joke.
Meanwhile, MrBeast, the philanthropist YouTuber at the center of it all, has yet to comment. Known for giving away eye-watering sums of money, MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) recently collaborated with a handful of African creators as part of a content push on the continent. Shank was among the few lucky recipients of the cash prize, but it's safe to say even MrBeast didn’t anticipate the comedic explosion his generosity would ignite.
As the dust settles, fans are now watching both comedians’ social media for the next development. Will there be an apology? A reconciliation skit? A diss track? Or will this be one of those legendary celebrity feuds that never quite finds closure?
Whatever the case, the Shank vs. Nasty Blaq saga has proven one thing: even a $10,000 prize can’t buy peace among Nigerian comedians when “bread and beans” debts remain unpaid.
One can only hope the laughter will eventually outweigh the bitterness—and maybe, just maybe, Nasty Blaq might get that $5 (not $5K) after all.