Biography of Cobhams Asuquo
Cobhams Asuquo is a Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter. He was once signed to Sony ATV London as a songwriter before floating his first music production and label company Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (CAMP) in 2008. He is also the Founder/CEO of Vintage Grey Media. The visually impaired maestro has a sultry voice which captivates the hearts of listeners.
Early life and background of Cobhams Asuquo
Born like other normal children, Cobhams seemed perfectly normal until about three months after his birth when his very observant mother began noticing his awkwardness.She quickly took him to the University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan State, Nigeria from where they were referred to a hospital in Kano State, Nigeria. There, her worst fears were confirmed; her son had been blind from the womb and nothing could be done to restore his sight.
Mrs Asuquo, who was a clerical officer in the army, resigned to take care of her son and prepare him adequately for a future she knew had to be great. Cobhams’s father was an officer in the army and was hardly ever around so it was up to the mother to train and cater for her children.
His Rise to Fame
Cobhams Asuquo, born January 6,1981 started training as a lawyer before delving into music, a passion which he had always nurtured. Growing up as a child, Cobhams would drum on the dining table, on barrels of water or whatever he could lay his hands on. He derived so much fun making music that he would even puff his cheeks to make music. He grew up listening to music a lot. Cobhams have been in and out of choir quite a number of times. Singing wasn’t really his thing so he joined the choir as an organist or an instrumentalist. As a rookie and secondary school leaver, he worked on commercials and jingles. When he opted out of law school to do music, his mother supported it knowing it was out of passion and not because he was failing at his academics.
His Production Works
In 2005, Cobhams got signed to Sony ATV London as a songwriter. He worked as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment before setting up his first record label – CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions) in 2006. In 2016, he formed Vintage Gray Media. Vintage Gray media currently produces “The Cobhams Top 12” – a music countdown show aimed at showcasing new music releases from both famous and upcoming artists.
He’s the brain behind internationally acclaimed album – ASA. He also wrote and co-wrote several songs on the award-winning album including the singles, “Fire on the Mountain” and “Jailer. He has worked with numerous musicians both local (Nigeria) and International. He has produced several award-winning songs for popular Nigerian artistes like Omawumi, Asa, Banku W, Eldee, Sasha, Dare Art-Alade, Waje, Timi Dakolo, Djinne, Faze, Seyi Shay, Korede Bello, Tiwa Savage, Ego, Yemi Alade, Bez, Omolara, Chidinma Ekile, Shola Allyson, Lara George, Ego, Silver Saddih, Flavour, Mo’Chedda, Praiz and so many others.
He has arranged music, and performed with bands at international music events such as The Harare International Festival of Arts, the AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert with Asa and Angelique Kidjo; AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nigeria Week in Paris and the launch of MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base Africa) at Abuja, Nigeria. He has also composed and arranged film scores for TV and film media. Cobhams was featured on CNN Africa Voices in December 2011.He performed alongside other renowned Nigerian artists at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2014.
Cobhams has been a producer on the Coke Studio Africa Season 3, which aired across various African countries. In 2016 Cobhams produced the Rhythm Unplugged show and Hennessy Artistry. The talented artiste who is adept at music production foray into music by releasing his first official single “Ordinary people” in January 1, 2014. The following year saw the release of “Ordinary people” visual. He went ahead to release 5 other singles – “Do the Right Thing” featuring Bez (2015), Christmas song “Star of Wonder” (2015), Boosit ft. Falz (2016), “The Other Room” ft. Ugovinna (2016) and “Adore” ft. Lauretta Cookey and Fome Peters (2016), “Starlight” (2018) “One Hit” (2018) “We Plenti” (2020).
His songs are inspired by the environment and consciousness that his music is a message. In solidarity to fighting against COVID-19, the music producer with the killer voice released the heart-felt original song We go win (corona) in April, 2019.
The versatile artiste who can do all genres of music have shared the stage with international acts such as Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Common, Cold Play and Pearl Jam.
His Humanitarian Works
Cobhams, alongside African musicians such as Dbanj, Omawumi, Femi Kuti and Somi, visited the white house to raise awareness on agriculture in Nigeria, through Bono’s global humanitarian group, ‘ONE Campaign’. He was also invited to participate in the three-day US-Africa summit. Cobhams was invited by the ONE campaign to produce the anthem for the “Poverty is Sexist’ campaign titled Strong Girl. Cobhams was called again to produce a remix of “StrongGirl” and this time it included Bono as one of the artistes. Cobhams was also invited to be part of the UN Global Goals campaign and co-produced the song “Tell Everyone“.
Cobhams Asuquo’s Endorsements
Cobhams became an MTN Nigeria ambassador for its corporate elite customers in 2015.
Cobhams Asuquo’s Relationship and Family Life
Cobhams got married to Ojuolape Veronica Olukanni in December 2, 2010. They have two sons together. In October 2019, Ojuola revealed in a YouTube interview about her son’s blindness.
Awards and Nominations
He won the Music Producer of the Year at the 2009 Future Awards.
Winner at The Future Awards for Producer of the Year – 2006
Hip-hop World Awards for Producer of the Year – 2007
Winner at the Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) for Producer of the decade – 2007
Recipient of LEAP Africa Award for his Creativity, Fortitude and Exemplary Leadership in the Music Industry – 2007
The Partnership Awards recipient for Supporting the Worship for Change Concert – 2008
Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) named him the Producer of the Decade – 2008
Producer of the Year at the Hip-hop World Awards – 2008
The Nigerian Award for British Council’s International Young Music Entrepreneur of the year – 2009
Producer of the Year at The Future Awards – 2009
Recording of the Year Award at the Headies, for his song Ordinary People – 2014
Cobhams Asuquo’s Net Worth
Cobhams Asuquo is currently one of the richest and most influential artiste in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $ 1.8 million.
