Cobhams Asuquo is a man who has made it to the spotlight despite his visual impairment, a real motivation for anyone with disabilities. We could say he is proof that disability does not mean inability.
After working as the Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he started his own recording studio in 2006. As the former CEO and Head of Productions of CAMP, he represented himself, Bez Idakula, and Stan Iyke (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions).
He came into the spotlight when he worked on Asa’s critically acclaimed international album, ASA, on which he was the producer and writer. Ever since then, his name has appeared on many projects with several artists as a writer and producer. He is now the CEO and founder of his own company, Vintage Grey Media.
Cobhams Asuquo claims he has always had a passion for music ever since he was a child. And although none of his family members played any musical instruments, he didn’t let that be an excuse. As a child, a friend of his who had noticed his love for music presented him with a toy piano, which he played with.
It is often said that people that have a disability in one of their senses get heightened perceptions, and Cobhams is a good example of that, because he says that his hearing skills are heightened due to his visual impairment, and this has assisted him in accomplishing great things when it comes to music.
Cobhams Asuquo: background and education
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo was born on January 6th, 1981 in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. He’s 41 years old right now.
Cobhams Asuquo’s mother, Gladys Omasiri Asuquo, just like quite a number of other Nigerian women, did not have a specific job. She did several businesses to keep herself and the family going, although she wasn’t the main breadwinner. She used to work as a clerical officer, but she quit so she could take care of her home more and be closer to her kids.
Cobham’s father, the breadwinner of the family, took care of most of his responsibilities. Both of his parents supported his dreams, so they must have been really understanding.
He attended King’s College for secondary school education in Nigeria,
He then proceeded to the Pacelli School for the Blind.
Asuquo began his legal studies at the University of Lagos, one of Nigeria’s premier federal universities. It was there that he understood how gifted he was and went into music.
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cobhams asuquo: personal life and family
Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo married Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni on December 2, 2010. They are the parents of two sons.
Check here for their wedding details.
cobhams asuquo: career
Cobhams emmanuel Asuquo began his career as a lawyer, but according to legend, he discovered his passion for music while in university and dropped out at the 300 level.He is now a Nigerian songwriter, music producer, and vocalist. In 2008, he founded his first music production and label company, known as Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (CAMP), after he had worked as a songwriter for Sony/ATV UK Publishing Company. After he founded Vintage Gray Media Ltd. in 2016, he launched a musical countdown show, “The Top 12 Countdown with Cobhams Asuquo,” where new music was showcased and a total of 74 episodes were aired.
Cobhams gained international recognition for his work on the debut album of Nigerian soul singer, Asa’s ASA. He wrote and co-wrote several songs on the album, including the evergreen and classic singles, Fire on the Mountain and Jailer. Yeah, I was today years old when I found out too. Ever since then, he has collaborated with several artists, both internationally and locally. Just before I make a list of musical projects and artists he has worked on and with, let me quickly add that he was once appointed as an ambassador for MTN Nigeria for the company’s corporate elite clients.
Omawumi’s “If you ask me” and “butterflies”
Banky W
Eldee
Sasha
Dare Art-Alade
Bez
Omolara
Chidinma Ekile
Shola Allyson
Lara George
Ego
Silver Saddih
Flavour
Mo
Seyi Shay
Korede Bello
Timi Dakolo
Tiwa Savage
Yemi Alade
Waje
The list could go on, but I’ll leave it at 20.
At the Harare International Festival of Arts, the AFA-sponsored French Cultural Centre Concert with Asa and Angelique Kidjo in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nigeria Week in Paris, where he performed with bands and arranged music representing Nigeria. He also performed at the launch of MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base Africa) in Abuja, Nigeria. Overtime, he has worked on a lot of projects, some of which are the projects he did for conservatoires, for which he composed and orchestrated film music. Others include film and stage productions, such as Uche Macaulay’s “A Voice for Ella,” Sunshine (Alpha Vision), Isang Awah’s “Bent Arrows,” and Communication for Change’s “Bayelsan Silhouettes.”
In January 2014, Cobhams performed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, alongside other renowned Nigerian artists. The Cobhams, together with African musicians such as Dbanj, Omawumi, Femi Kuti, and Somi, paid a visit to the White House as part of Bono’s global humanitarian project, “ONE Campaign,” to raise awareness about agriculture in Nigeria. He was also invited to the US-Africa conference, which took place over three days. Cobhams was commissioned by the ONE campaign to write “Strong Girl” for their “Poverty is Sexist” campaign. Waje (Nigeria), Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selmor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), new talent Blessing Nwafor (South Africa), and video star (Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde) were among the female artists with whom he collaborated with.
The ONE campaign song “StrongGirl” remix was re-done by Cobhams Asuquo with Bono as one of the artists. The United Nations’ Global Goals campaign’s official song, “Tell Everyone,” was also co-produced by him as requested by the campaign body. Yemi Alade (Nigeria) and Diamond Platnumz (South Africa) are among the other African artists featured in the song (Tanzania). It is safe to say that this man does not only represent Nigeria, he also represents Africa at large. The United Nations’ Global Goals were promoted live on stage at the Global Citizens Festival in New York’s Central Park on September 26, where Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Common, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran performed live on stage. Cobhams also produced for Coke Studio Africa’s third season, which was broadcast.
He also organized the first “One Africa” concert in Houston, Texas. Wyclef Jean, an entertainer and former member of the Fugees, met with the Cobhams.
On January 1, 2015, Cobhams released his first music video for “Ordinary People.” “Do the Right Thing” ft. Bez (2015), “Star of Wonder” ft. Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters (2015), “Boosit” ft. Falz (2016), “The Other Room” ft. Ugovinna (2016), and “Adore” ft. Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters (2016).
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How did Cobhams Asuquo get his big break?
When Asa Cobhams produced Asa’s debut album in 2007, he gained international recognition. Some of the songs were written by him, including “Fire on the Mountain” and “Jailer.”
It was a significant break for him, and it led to ties with renowned Nigerian musicians. He has collaborated with a number of other notable Nigerian musicians, including Banky W, Omawumi, Tiwa Savage, and Simi, among others.
Cobhams Asuquo has also written a number of well-known songs and collaborated with bands at international music festivals such as:
The Harare International Arts Festival is an annual event that takes place in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The concert at the French Cultural Center, sponsored by the AFA (with Asa and Angelique Kidjo),
AFA sponsored a concert at the French Cultural Center in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Nigeria Week-Paris
MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base) debuted.
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cobhams asuquo: singles
We’ll go through some of Cobhams’ popular tunes in this section of his Cobhams Asuquo biography.
Ordinary People (2014)
The film Star of Wonder (2015)
Do The Right Thing feat. Bez (2015)
Ordinary People (2015) Video
Stronger Than Before, sung by Morayo (2015)
Boosit feat. Falz (2016)
The Other Room feat. Ugovinna (2016)
Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters in Adore (2016)
One Big Hit (2018)
We Plenti (2020).
We Go Win Corona (2020).
We go dey together (2022).
cobhams asuquo: awards and nominations
The Future Awards for Producer of the Year (2006)
Hip Hop World Awards for Producer of the Year in 2007.
Nigerian Music Awards for Producer of the Decade (2007)
In the Music Industry, Creativity, Fortitude, and Exemplary Leadership (2007)
The Partnership Awards for Supporting The Worship For Change Concert (2008)
Nigerian Music Awards: Producer of the Decade (2008)
Hip Hop World Awards for Producer of the Year (2008)
The Nigerian Award for British Council International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year (2009)
The Future Awards: Producer of the Year (2009)
The Headies Recording of the Year Award for the song “Ordinary People”
